No Butterflies, No Backup Plan, But Somehow… Blessed?

It’s official. I am an adult. And by “adult,” I mean I’ve checked off all the classic markers: no love life, no butterflies, and barely hanging on to the general concept of “thriving.” I mean, have you ever woken up, looked around, and thought, Wow, I really thought I’d be better at this whole life thing by now?

Let’s talk about love for a minute. I thought I’d be riding some magical romance wave with butterflies and all that cute couple stuff—matching T-shirts, candlelit dinners, sappy text messages... the works. But nope. Instead, I’m here, romantically committed to… my favorite coffee mug? Which, to be fair, has been incredibly reliable. But if mugs could talk, mine would probably tell me to get out more.

And let’s not even mention the barely hanging on part. If my life had a theme song, it would probably be something along the lines of “Stayin’ Alive” but in a very “hanging by a thread” sort of way. People out there are doing yoga at sunrise and meal-prepping like it’s a hobby. Meanwhile, I’m just trying to remember if I put the milk back in the fridge. Ah, the fullness of life… or something like it.

But here’s the kicker, and honestly, the twist I wasn’t expecting: Jesus shows up in this mess of mine. Even without the butterflies or a clear sense of “I’ve got this,” He shows me that I’m not actually lacking. Because where the world shouts “you’re missing out,” He whispers, I’m right here. I might not have a grand, swooning romance, but I do have a love story that’s been unfolding since the beginning of time.

It’s funny because I spent all this time feeling disappointed, like I wasn’t living “full.” But maybe fullness isn’t what I thought it was. Maybe it’s not a plus-one or an adventure or a highlight reel of all my best days. Maybe it’s the quiet comfort of knowing that, butterflies or not, I am fully loved and never alone.

So here’s to the messy middle, to Jesus in the chaos, and to the funny, surprising ways He keeps showing up—even in the absence of butterflies.

Growing Daily With Grace,

Irish 🤎