Do Butterflies Wink?

"Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.” ~ Thoreau

I never thought that this saying would set in motion a series of events that over the years would show me the God of all comfort “winking” in my life to assure me of His love and care for me! 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. II Corinthians 1:3-4 

God comforted me in my journey of finding love in a mate through the story of a butterfly.

The Lord began his first “wink” in a Christmas gift given years ago! There the story begins…

When I was in my mid-twenties, I was dating a young man that I thought would be my husband, but that day would never come. Parting ways with me, he gave me little understanding as to why, other than saying,“ I don’t think it is what God wants.”

Well, as a woman who loves God and has an intimate relationship with Him, how could I argue with that reply. However, I could argue with God, and I did for months: What could I have done different? God, what is wrong with me? Why? Why? Why?...

The answer to my Why? would not come for another 2 years. But, I am jumping ahead of myself.

The young man and I parted ways sometime in November or early December. I remember because he was going Christmas shopping the day things started to unravel and the “writing was on the wall.” I remember where I stood and was so glad to be at a friend’s house. I unraveled as well. I just could not understand. But, he said… He did… I could go on, but the specifics are not important. What is important is that I was in sorrow and starting the stages of grief.

O, my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me. Jeremiah 8:18

I had spoken with my father about the situation off and on over the last month or so. He listened and at one point said this poem to me, “Love is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.”

You have to know that my father did not normally share on an emotional level, so this was a first, especially for us. I was very touched that he was hurting because I was hurting. Our conversations meant a lot to me. No matter how often I repeated myself or how many times I might have asked Why?, he listened.

At Christmas, my family celebrated with my father and his wife, Joyce, at my brother’s home like we had for several years now. This celebration would start a life long journey and a special bond for my father and me. The first “God wink” of this journey in my life.

When it came time to open presents, my father slipped me a small package and motioned from across the room for me to open it. The room was busy with everyone opening their own gifts and paying little attention to the story unfolding between us. It felt like we were the only two in the room as he waited expectantly. I opened the box, and inside was a silver butterfly pin with rhinestones in it. I was absolutely beautiful! I still have it today. Of course, I instantly knew why he gave it to me. It was the assurance that someday, I would find love in a soul mate; like a butterfly coming to sit softly on my shoulder!

I found out later that my father shopped personally for the butterfly. My father did not shop for our gifts in the past, so this gift was especially significant to me!! He was truly emotionally invested in our “little secret.” I cherished that butterfly and the reason behind that gift in my heart for another 2 years.

To be continued...

by Joni Ormsbee