On Broken Wings

Good morning…

We had not seen each other since COVID closed down our weekly class in March. Now three quarters of the way through September, it was the perfect cool morning for our heart-to-heart catch up. My friend has had a very difficult few years. An impending divorce. Anxious uncertainty. Soul-searching, “God, how will You heal me whole again?”

Each with our dogs, walking some shady hills, we came upon an interesting sight.

Lying on the ground at our feet was a beautiful butterfly gently waving a broken wing. We marveled at the creature a little while, then my friend took the picture above and sent it to me later in the day.

Still thinking about the image when I woke in the middle of the night, I googled, “What is the spiritual meaning of a broken winged butterfly?” An unlikely article appeared, helping to generate God’s rich blessing. Almost like a personalized fortune cookie, these quotes felt written specifically for my friend.

Because of disappointment, you have lost confidence in life.
You are still young, and love can be found again.
At this time, friendship may be more important than young love.
Don’t run away from the painful part of you.
Speak your own heart.
Believe there are no contradictions that cannot be resolved.
What can’t be forgiven?
A good life is right in front of you and requires your hard work.

This blessing resonated so, a love note from our God to my friend, resting on the broken wing of a butterfly.

Now in the quiet of this wee dark hour, I think of another broken winged butterfly I photographed a few weeks back.

I was sharing an evening on the back porch of a friend who endured a grueling cancer journey with her husband before he passed away five years ago. I saw this limping butterfly before we sat down to a delicious dinner.

Somehow I sense God’s broken winged blessing is intended for this dear friend also, as she emerges through grief to envision what’s next.