Broken Wings

Deep breath…this is a tough one. I was listening to an anecdote from TD Jakes, and I saw myself clearly in the message. He said, “If you want to bring home a bird with broken wings, don’t get mad when the bird won’t fly.” Ouch! Lord, if that isn’t me. Years ago my former father-in-law told something similar. He said a hunter went in the woods and saw a snake half frozen in the snow. The hunter took pity on the snake and brought it home. He made a fire in the fireplace, set out blankets, and placed the snake in front of the fire. When the snake had recovered, he struck and bit the hunter. In shock and disbelief the hunter drew back his hand and screamed, “Why did you bite me?!” The snake replied, “You knew I was a snake when you brought me home.” I should be able to stop here because that is so impactful, but then I would be hiding under my own embarrassment of poor decisions. We talk about the red flags we see in people and situations, knowing full well we should leave certain people and situations alone. But for the kindhearted…for the compassionate…dare I say for the foolish…many of us walk in thinking disaster will not befall us. I’ve been here too many times. But recently I realized why. It’s because I see myself as the bird with the broken wings. I have brokenness of my own, but I have been blessed to be surrounded by a loving God and the people He has placed in my life. My closest friends love me and have never dropped me in my brokenness. Because of the unconditional love in my own life, it is hard for me to not love others unconditionally. The problem comes when the snake draws back and bites me. And there lies the rub. How much do you give? How much do you love? How much do you hold back so you don’t get burned in the process? No easy answers from me. This is truly an area where I myself have to walk by faith and trust God with my heart. I’m sharing this for the people on the other side who have closed off their hearts to people because of being hurt in the past. I’m a broken bird who needs you. There are other broken birds who need you. Some of us strike back because we don’t know how to receive love, but I pray that doesn’t stop you from being willing to give love. Today I ask that we all examine our agape love lives. How do we love others? Do we trust God to protect our hearts as we show His love to other people?