Broken Branch, Garden of Cromwell Arms, Romsey. Photo by Mr.G
WOUNDED Sometimes we are broken by circumstances or events, like a tree branch ripped untimely from its mother.
The nerve ends which drank greedily of the sap of life, are still now. Jagged edges that once pulsated with vibrant greenery, shading and embracing those sheltering beneath, are signs now of death and decay.
Life can feel like that sometimes. Is this the end? Slivers of experience, of joy, of very being, shiver and contribute to the dust of the earth, unremembered, unneeded.
Is this what life becomes for all of us? in the end?
Yet, gazing at the ruptured tree branch, there is a certain beauty, not simply a reflection of a life that was, a contribution which a part of nature makes to the whole of living, but rather a symbol of our own part in the cyclical journeys of the earth.
That which wounds us; breaks us, is itself broken in turn. We all belong to the same tree, the same roots.
Knowing that is itself a kind of healing, and a defence against all that would harm us.
[Mr G. 12 July 2025] inspired by a fallen tree branch and a current sense of uncertainty.
Photos of the Comma Butterfly in Latton Vicarage Garden, by Canon Lynn Hurry.
These photos by my friend Lynn Hurry are of the Comma Butterfly. It is so called because its orange-brown colouring is punctuated on the underwing with a distinctive white comma shape. It has ragged wing edges which, when it is at rest, resembles a dead leaf.
Unlike many butterfly species, which are becoming rarer, it is a success story of Nature, being more prolific and widespread. Some attribute this to global warming. It is commonly found in Britain, Europe, North Africa and Asia.
Spiritually, this butterfly has several meanings including renewal; rebirth; unconditional love; transformation and hope.
Personally, I see in its name ~ comma~ an invitation to pause briefly and for a moment enter into stillness. A comma links two parts of a sentence and so we can allow a pause to be a link between one kind of activity and another. The purpose of this brief moment can be to renew our connection with God and with Nature. The Psalmist of Psalm 46 gives us a picture of a world in turmoil, whether it be of nations; planet earth, or more personal. Throughout this upheaval, God is our refuge and our strength. His voice melts the angry clamour of human voices; of our human spirit. God makes wars to cease, within our hearts leading hopefully to a renewed understanding of God’s presence in our hearts. So, the Psalmist encourages to Be still and know that I am God.
We can see, therefore, that the grammatical pause in this butterfly’s very being has a purpose and a meaning which calls us to reflection, renewal and transformation. This comes if we pause with God.
Too often, in our daily life we are on the go in frenetic activity. So is the world. It is vitally important then to be still and to form a new connection with the World of Nature, represented by the Comma Butterfly, and appreciate the beauty of God’s world. Only then might we cherish all that God has made and find a new hope and a new beginning. Only so might we become deeper instruments of God’s healing love. The Comma Butterfly is known as a pollinator, bringing the means of new life to the Natural World. That is a role we can learn from this butterfly in all our dealings with each other.
Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, Ardnamurchan Point, Kilchoan, Argylle & Bute. Photo: Mr G.
LIGHTHOUSE
I was built only to serve; to warn; to guide; reassure; prevent.
I was built on rock. I am stability in a shifting world of uncertainty and fragility; reliability in a sea of change.
I can withstand wind and wave, crashing storms, skies rent asunder with electric light. I can be drenched with wild rain; withstand angry skies; resist swirling mist; be brave in deepest dark.
I can wave at stars, bathe in the sun; befriend the moon.
You may take me for granted, even find me beautiful, solid but slender; be at peace because I am there.
I am a lighthouse; keeping mariners safe, focused and at the beck and call of all who sail by.
(Inspired by the Hundredth Anniversary of the BBC Shipping Forecast July 4th 2025)
St.Thomas shares his thoughts on the eve of his feast day. (July 3rd) See: John’s Gospel Ch20. v. 24-29
I was not there when the Lord in Risen Glory broke the locked door of the upper Room. Brilliantly alive and carrying joy. Resurrection Joy!
Full of a renewed sense of their call by God my friends loved telling me what I had missed. Had they made it up as a way of dealing with their grief? Mourning takes interesting forms sometimes. They were quite smug though so was it a but of one-upmanship?
Yet I wanted to believe them! It was too good to be true, so I was filled with uncertainty. That is when I doubted what they told me and that moment was to define me not just then but for all time. I gave my name to all doubters. Even those who did not share faith.
I don’t know what made me do it. I really wanted to believe what my friends told me. “Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands… I will not believe!” My longing was so deep. But with those words, I had missed the chance. My heart was heavy, my soul seemingly cast adrift.
Eight days later we gathered again, to pray; to break bread; to find in each other’s company, a kind of solace.
Then, like a whirlwind of sheer light, HE came again. He looked at me, not with sadness, or anger or in a dismissive way. “Thomas”, he said, “my dear delightful Thomas. Always loyal, always a bit too eager, always sure. Come here.” He beckoned me to his side.
Gently, lovingly, he invited me to inspect his wounds. “Don’t doubt Thomas. Believe!”
My inner spirit burst with joy, my soul reached out to heaven. From the seed-bed of my praying I placed words around a thought I had long been praying silently in my heart. A praying which became so strong because I had wrestled with doubt.
It was a prayer that flowed from the deepest faith possible. “MY LORD AND MY GOD!”
There! I had prayed it! Aloud!
People may still use my doubting to justify their unbelief but I had reached beyond that into the very depth of my soul and I said that word which is all Jesus needs to lift us up into the beauteous light of eternal life. Here, Now and Always! Yes, Lord!
Jesus, our Risen Master, our Lord, Our God held me in his radiant smile and looked around at all of us gathered there. “I am indeed your Lord. I am indeed your God, but never forget to tell people what I tell you now, I love you. I am your most loving friend!
Mr G's Ponderings 