Perplexed, but not despairing . . .

Here's "Tom," sauntering up the hill in our backyard. "Not me," he seems to say, "I wouldn't dare touch your birdseed--you must be mistaken." Even though I caught him redhanded--or red-beaked, as it were.

There were two turkeys outside my kitchen door gobbling (pun intended) as much seed as they could. Which would have been more, had they not been taking pecks at each other. One would reach over and peck the other on the head or neck, and then start eating again; then the other would follow suit. When I scared them away, they ran in different directions. Certainly not team players.

Reminds me of people. We are in this together, this life as we know it, and we could accomplish so much more if we'd stop pecking at each other. And if we'd stick together when things get tough, instead of heading for our own corners.

It is hard, sometimes, to understand why things happen. When someone hurts or betrays you, or when someone else gets blessed (and you don't), it can be perplexing. But, the harder thing is to go forward. Amazingly, it is easier to get stuck in a rut than it is to move on. I'm sure some of us hung up in ruts and ditches lately because of this miserable weather can attest to that first hand! And, as with driving, getting up and over the edge of a life-rut and out onto the open road takes some effort. But it is worth it. Staying stuck, spinning your wheels and despairing over the place you are in, will never accomplish anything but the deepening of your rut and your despair.

"Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary," (Isaiah 40:31).

Remember, even if you are surrounded by turkeys, you can still soar like an eagle with the Lord's help.