Grumpy the Gator

In Grumpy the Gator, a group of children playing encounter a grumpy alligator. The story teaches children to always keep a safe distance from animals in the wild, and to find an adult if they see an alligator.

Grumpy the Gator

Its Always A Story With The Hendersons

Do Turkeys Have Exercise Class?

Watching the wildlife in our backyard is amazing. Ducks, geese, herons, egrets, lizards and turkeys all have a great area to roam freely. A forest behind the house is filled with pine trees that hold woodpeckers and bluebirds.

The male turkeys and female turkeys are often seen traveling in groups. They pause and nibble on the tall weeds, picking off seeds and bugs. Male turkeys show their feathers in hopes of attracting the females.

Sometimes, only the males walk by and other times, only the females. Then, there are those times when all the turkeys travel together. One turkey looks to be in charge. The other turkeys follow.

This morning, I noticed a different situation with the male turkeys. Three big fellas ran past the back door like they were headed for some place important. Running to the right, they kept the speed up for a whole block. A few minutes later, they returned running in the opposite direction.

The back and forth kept going on for a while. One turkey was slower than the other two. This reminded me of gym class when I was a young girl. I was often the slow runner and left behind. The other turkeys didn’t wait for this guy to catch up. They kept running from one end of the block to the other.

The thought entered my mind. “Do turkeys have exercise class?” Seeing those turkeys run quickly made me wonder why they were running. Could they be trying to escape a predator or were they running for fun?

My thoughts sparked questions. “Am I running away from something? Am I lagging behind in my faith?” Today, I am searching my thoughts, words and actions to see if I have been “putting off” or “running away” from studying His Word. There are no time constraints for me, as we are quarantined. Housework can wait. Reading His Word and sharing conversation with God can’t wait. There is no need to fall behind like I did in exercise class. I can share my thoughts with God at any time.

What comfort knowing that God will search for me when I fall behind. He will seek and find me.

Maybe the turkeys are having exercise class. Maybe they are running for fun. Maybe they run as a mating ritual. I don’t know. I will pretend they are having exercise class. That makes me laugh.
As for me, I will run toward God. He is waiting for conversation. He is holding out His arms waiting to give comfort and peace.

Have you found yourself running away from something lately? Share your thoughts. Your message may help someone else.

If you see any turkeys running back and forth, enjoy the sight and know they might be in “turkey exercise class.”

Blessings,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson



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48 Comments
  • Nancy E. Head
    Posted at 12:46h, 17 June Reply

    Serious food for thought here. Thanks, Melissa, and God bless!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:52h, 17 June Reply

      Thank you Nancy. Even turkeys can make us think. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

  • Candice Brown
    Posted at 12:54h, 17 June Reply

    Lately, I’ve been intently focused on flaws I have run from for years, as premarital counseling has forced me to look at what went wrong in my first marriage. Slowing down is sometimes painful but I look forward to dealing with these in order to make me a better wife (and woman of God.)

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:24h, 17 June Reply

      Candice, I truly think we all run from things at times. I pray I will slow down and deal with things I’ve been running from. I know God is with me and will guide me along the way. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 13:25h, 17 June Reply

    I like the idea of a turkey exercise class, Melissa! Maybe you can go out there and lead the class. 🙂 My mind seems to be running overtime these days, so thank you for the reminder to slow down. <3

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:52h, 17 June Reply

      Now, that would be a funny sight! Me leading a turkey exercise class!!! haha!! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Ava Pennington
    Posted at 13:26h, 17 June Reply

    Good questions! What am I running away from? And who am I running to?

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:53h, 17 June Reply

      I am asking myself those questions again today. Have a blessed day Ava! 🙂

  • Kimberly Rose Johnson
    Posted at 13:56h, 17 June Reply

    I sure enjoy how you weave truth into a fun story.
    Last fall I went with my parents to their home in Montana. They have a large spread of land and when we drove in I spotted more turkeys than I’ve ever seen. I’m guessing there were at least fifty, maybe more. It was quite the sight. They are much bigger than I would have imagined. We didn’t see a huge flock like that again while we were there. I think they know where people are home. They weren’t running, just “grazing.” 🙂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:58h, 17 June Reply

      Thank you Kimberly. Life is definitely interesting. 🙂 That must have been quite a sight, to see so many turkeys. Wow! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Anne Mackie Morelli
    Posted at 13:56h, 17 June Reply

    This makes me think of how we can get so busy, running from one direction and thing to another! And end up not focusing on the most important things like focusing on God. Keeping our eye on him, running towards him, and not getting distracted is our focus.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:59h, 17 June Reply

      I agree with you, Anne. I know I get so busy with my “to do” list that I forget sometimes to pause and share time with God. I pray today and every day that I will run to Him. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

  • Vickie@Vickie s Kitchen and Garden
    Posted at 14:36h, 17 June Reply

    What a beautiful message Melissa! Take time to be with God is something I always need a reminder of.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:50h, 17 June Reply

      Thank you Vickie. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Carol Souders
    Posted at 14:58h, 17 June Reply

    As usual, you write the best stories.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 15:02h, 17 June Reply

      Thank you Carol. I appreciate you. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Stephen Lewis
    Posted at 15:41h, 17 June Reply

    Love it sister I recently was running from the fact that I needed to do a podcast on my feelings towards the way the world is heading. But then I was reminded to focus on the Lord and to love and share my message of love. Thanks again for this awesome thought provoking post.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:28h, 17 June Reply

      Thank you. Your podcasts are amazing! You and your wife always encourage and inspire me. I love seeing both of you on the podcasts. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • June Foster
    Posted at 17:25h, 17 June Reply

    You are so blessed to see this view from your backyard. Gorgeous. I love the gift the Lord has given you in finding a spiritual message in daily occurrences. Blessings and good health to you and your husband as you finish your time at home.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 17:32h, 17 June Reply

      Thank you June. This morning, the blue herons are flying back and forth behind the townhouse. A few turkeys have walked by. No running this morning. haha! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • michellekaderlywelsh
    Posted at 21:15h, 17 June Reply

    LOL I love the application here. Also the thought of turkeys having an exercise class made me laugh. Thanks for bringing a smile to my day.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 21:17h, 17 June Reply

      Thank you Michelle. God gives us many sights and sounds to enjoy, including turkeys who look like they are having exercise class. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Marcie Cramsey
    Posted at 02:05h, 18 June Reply

    I like how you use everyday life, like turkeys and exercise to draw out spiritual truth. Very creative. Helps me visualize the lesson.

    As far as running from something…exercise is one of them. Lol. But on a serious note, running from God and his word only hurts me. So I try to keep our relationship in tact.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:00h, 18 June Reply

      Thank you Marcie. I believe God gives us many lessons in the every day moments. I need to exercise and seem to be running from that. haha! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Melinda Viergever Inman
    Posted at 17:43h, 18 June Reply

    This is a good word, Melissa. This is the second reminder I’ve had today. I’ve been caring for my recovering spouse and these past ten days have been full and wearying. I need a good long time simply sitting with my Bible and the Lord in the quiet. I’m hoping and praying I can accomplish that deeply felt need today! Thank you for listening to the Lord’s leading and turning a beautiful tale about running turkeys into a message a really needed about running toward the Lord.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 17:50h, 18 June Reply

      Thank you Melinda. I am praying for your spouse and for you, too. I pray for the Lord to cover you with comfort and peace. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Yvonne
    Posted at 18:52h, 18 June Reply

    I do find myself running away from my faith sometimes. Every once in a while, the pull of the world seems to be the easier road to take. But then I remember my Savior and I run towards my faith. Thanks Melissa.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 19:17h, 18 June Reply

      Yvonne, I believe many people feel that way. I know there are times when I feel the pull of the world. I am thankful God searches for me and brings me back to Him. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • ordinarilyextraordinarymom
    Posted at 01:45h, 19 June Reply

    So glad God chases me down when I get lost in things that don’t matter.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:00h, 19 June Reply

      Amen. 🙂 Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • karentfriday
    Posted at 13:19h, 19 June Reply

    Melissa, first, it’s amazing you have access to watch that much wildlife in your own back yard. And I had to laugh with the story and imagery you painted of the turkeys running back and forth like in an exercise class! Hilarious! But, yes, maybe a predator.

    I’m so thankful that when I fall behind, God searching for me, seeks and finds me. That was simply a beautiful thought, thank you!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:20h, 19 June Reply

      Thank you Karen. I, too, am thankful God searches for me when I fall behind. I am thankful for His constant love. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 20:42h, 19 June Reply

    Such a wonderful analogy, Melissa! Thanks for this. Very cute. I love what you said: “What comfort knowing that God will search for me when I fall behind. He will seek and find me.” Amen!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 21:53h, 19 June Reply

      Thank you Jessica. I appreciate you reading and commenting. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Karen Harrison
    Posted at 07:07h, 21 June Reply

    What inspirational thoughts! Sometimes I do feel like I’m running around like a turkey trying to avoid a predator. So thankful that Jesus is always there to catch me. May we all remember to stop running away and instead run into His arms of love and grace. Thanks, dear Mimi. Wishing you a blessed day. 😘❤️

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:32h, 21 June Reply

      Amen. Yes, Karen, let’s stop running away and instead run into His arms of love and grace. Have a blessed day dear friend. 🙂

  • Jeanne Takenaka
    Posted at 20:51h, 23 June Reply

    Ahhh, Melissa. This made me smile big. 🙂 I can only imagine the sight of those three turkeys running up and down your street. 🙂 I also appreciate your encouragement to make sure I am not running away from God or trying to avoid something He’s showing me about myself or that He may want me to do. That continual conversation with Him is key to being able to examine ourselves, isn’t it?

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 21:01h, 23 June Reply

      Amen. A continual conversation with Him is key. Thank you for reading and commenting. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Diana Derringer
    Posted at 16:15h, 25 June Reply

    Thank you for the reminder to exercise my faith, Melissa. Blessings.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:38h, 25 June Reply

      Thank you Diana. Have a blessed and wonderful day! 🙂

  • J.D. Wininger (@JD_Wininger)
    Posted at 16:20h, 25 June Reply

    Not sure that I’ve been running from something, but have sure been getting my exercise lately my friend. I love your idea of always asking God to reveal His desires for us through a continual conversation. Isn’t “walking through each day with Him beside us” a wonderful mind picture? As for that “Tom” lagging behind; did you consider that maybe he was actually the alpha/leader trying to whip his boys into shape? LOL Thanks for always bringing a smile my friend. God’s blessings

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:39h, 25 June Reply

      J.D., you always make me think. I am watching those turkeys run back and forth today and there is one Tom that seems to be in charge. haha! Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Chandra Lynn
    Posted at 19:03h, 29 June Reply

    Your post reminds me of something I recently (re)read by Howard Thurman. I can’t remember the exact words, but something about deliberately and frequently seeking God throughout the day. I am happy to find you [again]. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember your new blog address. :-/

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 20:49h, 29 June Reply

      Chandra Lynn, I am so happy you found my blog. I appreciate you so much. Thank you for reading and commenting. Blessings. 🙂

  • Elizabeth Daghfal
    Posted at 14:36h, 30 June Reply

    I love how God can teach us lessons like this from the simplest things—even a bunch of wild turkeys—showing us our hearts in the process.

    I don’t know if I’ve been running from anything lately, but I have struggled to know what type of running God is calling me to do. When He’s calling me to sit, and when He’s urging me to run, but I’m lagging behind.

    Thanks for the story. Like a parable, it helps us to think.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:49h, 30 June Reply

      Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I, too, love how God can teach us lessons in the simplest things in life. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Melissa McLaughlin
    Posted at 15:13h, 01 July Reply

    What a cute backyard wildlife story! I love watching God’s creation – both animals, plants, skies and water. His hand is at work all around us. And I love how you harvest such profound spiritual lessons from these blessings. This is a reminder I need daily. It is so easy to run off and do pretty much anything and miss out on the greatest thing, time with the Lord.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:10h, 01 July Reply

      Thank you Melissa. I, too, love watching God’s creations. His work is amazing and awesome! Have a blessed day! 🙂

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