God's Butterfly

God’s Butterfly: Finding His Presence in the Storm

I have faced many trials in my life, but none quite like the one that began in the summer of 2015. Life seemed peaceful, normal, even. The days were filled with sunshine and laughter by the pool with my children. I had weathered smaller challenges before, but nothing could have prepared me for what was coming next.

Before I continue, let me share that I won’t go into the details of that particular trial today. The specifics, though significant, might draw attention away from the deeper spiritual truth I wish to share. The lesson is not found in the trial itself, but in what God revealed through it.

When the Storm Hit

That Saturday, I left my family behind in Pennsylvania and returned to Danville, Virginia. Sunday began like any other. I followed my usual church routine, turning on the lights, adjusting the air conditioning, unlocking doors, and preparing for service. Both morning and evening services went smoothly.

But when I returned to the parsonage that evening, I received a phone call that changed everything. In an instant, my world felt like it was crumbling. When I hung up, I felt utterly alone, no one to talk to, no one to lean on. That night was long and tearful. I didn’t even know how to pray. All I could whisper was, “Lord, are You there?”

Have You Ever Been There?

Have you ever faced a moment so heavy that you felt God was silent? Have you ever cried out and wondered if He was even listening? If so, I know that pain.

From the moment we receive salvation, the Holy Spirit takes residence within us. He is our Comforter, our guide, our guarantee of the eternal inheritance awaiting us in Heaven. Yet, even with that knowledge, there are times when we still feel alone.

But what if I told you, you never truly are?

The Silence That Speaks

The days that followed were some of the longest of my life. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday dragged by as I reached out to friends, family, and even a counselor, trying to make sense of it all. Still, I felt empty and abandoned. I kept pleading, “God, where are You? Please speak to me.”

And yet, there was silence, or so I thought.

Looking back, I realize God was speaking all along. Not in a booming voice from Heaven, but in that “still small voice” Elijah once heard. He was quietly saying, “Be still. I am here.”

The Butterfly

That Monday morning, I noticed a butterfly resting on the mirror of my van. It was unlike any I had seen before, dark blue, almost black, with brilliant blue tips on its wings.

On Tuesday, another appeared, perched on the church door two miles away. On Wednesday, I saw one again at my counselor’s office, ten miles from home. On Thursday, as I mowed the lawn, one fluttered right past me. On Friday, I spotted it near the fellowship hall pillars.

By Thursday, I began to realize—this was not coincidence. God was using His creation to whisper, “I am here.”

A Message in Creation

On Saturday, I searched everywhere for that butterfly but couldn’t find it. My heart sank. I felt as if the comfort I had clung to all week was gone. Later that evening, I scrolled through photos from the previous weekend with my children. And there it was, in a picture taken over 300 miles away. My youngest son was staring at that same butterfly.

In that moment, I knew. God had been reminding me all along of His presence, through that simple, beautiful creature. The butterfly wasn’t just an insect; it was a message from my Creator. “I am here. I have never left you.”

God Speaks in Many Ways

Some may wonder, “Do you really believe God spoke to you through a butterfly?”

My answer is a resounding yes. If God can speak through a burning bush, a pillar of cloud, or even the mouth of a donkey, then surely He can speak through His creation today. Scripture tells us that “He upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3). Even in the midst of Job’s suffering, God reminded him of His sovereignty over nature (Job 38:33–37).

Our God is still in control. Still speaking. Still near.

The God Who Is Always There

I haven’t seen that butterfly again since that week in 2015, but the memory continues to strengthen my faith. God used it to remind me that He is present, even when I cannot see or hear Him.

If you are facing a storm today, let this encourage you: God is with you. No one can comfort or sustain you like He can. As Psalm 139:7–12 declares,

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?...Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”

Even there, in the darkest valley, in the loneliest night, in the fiercest storm, His hand will hold you.

Remember, God is not always in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire. He is often found in the quiet whisper. If you listen closely, you may just see God’s Butterfly, a gentle reminder that He is near.