One of my most favorite things in the world is fireflies. I caught a glimpse of a few last week when I was here in Springfield, Missouri and tonight I was reunited with their lovely sparkles.

Today had been a bit of a rough day and with my birthday coming up tomorrow, part of me was longing to be drawn away with the Lord. In the middle of conversation with my husband, I glanced out the window and notice fireflies making their way across the street. I ran and sat. Stillness engulfed me. All things slowed down for a moment. I felt the wind and the soft humidity hit my face and arms. I sighed. I prayed. And the air around me was filled with little flickering lights. I felt like a little girl and flashed back to summers as a child. Fireflies always come out around my birthday and only as dusk approaches can they be seen. I remember being little and chasing them full of joyful anticipation of where the next one might appear.

Suddenly I heard that still small and beautiful voice within say, “keep looking joyfully for my light in the midst of darkness”. Here I was heart heavy and was being reminded how beautiful God’s light really can be even in my darkest hour.

I’m not sure who I’m writing this for out there, but know that God, our loving Father who created the whole earth, stopped and planned out things like the stars and fireflies for us. That in the midst of darkness we would see a marvelous light. Jesus came to bear witness of that light to us, and sent His Holy Spirit to abide in us. May we continue to let our lights shine and capture the joy of a summer’s night of fireflies.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. (Psalms 51:12 NKJV)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (I Peter 2:9 NKJV)

—BK