Every year around this time, the lightning bugs start their dance in the darkness. It’s another mark that summer is beginning in earnest, and out in my new rural surroundings, their light shines even more brightly without the competition of city lights. With every intermittent glow, there is a memory that pulses through my mind and heart that never fails to serve as a reminder of something important.
When I was about six, and my little brother Keith was three, we lived in a two-bedroom house and shared one of those bedrooms. It looked as you might imagine; two twin beds placed on either side of the room, and in our case, the piece of furniture in the middle was a little girls’ vanity table. That little beauty was a Christmas gift to me, and was in the French Provençal style that was so popular in girls’ furniture at that time. It had a nifty hinged top that you could open to reveal a mirror, and under which you could store all your make-up, etc. Since I didn’t wear makeup at six, it was filled with playmakeup and assorted other stuff that I hoarded and stuck in there.
We loaded up and were surveying our catch when Mom called us in for bed. There we sat with those jars aglow, not really knowing what to do with them.
Then, it hit me.
I told Keith to go tell Mom he needed to potty. I needed a distraction. Amazingly, he pulled it off! I smuggled both jars into our room, and looked lovingly, knowingly, at my vanity. It waited with an open ‘stuff’ compartment, as if it had known all along its ultimate purpose. Before you could say ‘turn on the lights’, those lightning bugs were dumped in that vanity and the lid closed, our secret safe within.
After baths and prayers, we were tucked in for the night. In the quiet darkness of our room, I reached over, and opened the lid. And there we sat, two little kids in awestruck wonder at the seemingly millions of lights glowing all around our room.
“It’s pwetty, Sister!”
Indeed it was.
Honestly, I don’t remember what happened next. Well, I do remember my mom coming in when she heard us talking, and to say she was surprised would be an understatement! But, after that, my main memory is the wonder of it, two small faces glowing in the light that pierced our darkness.
When I think of that time, I’m reminded of the lights that pierce the darkness all around me now. The kind word of a friend, the helpful salesperson at the store, the knowledge that people are praying for me, even a sweet comment on a blog from someone I’ve never met. We all have the capability of being “light” in our world. Especially those of us who claim to be followers of Christ; the very LIGHT OF THE WORLD inhabits us. Are we letting that light shine through, or are we closing the lid on it?
This dark ole’ world needs light! Lots and lots of light.
Let yourself shine.
You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on the hilltop, on a light stand – shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG)Photo credit: Steven David Johnson
Melinda,
This was beautiful! I remember sweet and precious times with my brother, 11 months younger than I, sharing a bed room and having a mason jar with holes tapped into the lid for air, so the sweet little lights could live.
Precious times, simpler times…
With love and seeking to let this little LIGHT of mine, shine!
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Okay, I have never seen a real lightning bug. Being from the Pacific Northwest, I don't get that sort of blessing.
I am SO very glad to see you here. I have missed you. A lot. And I have been wondering about you and your dear family.
Your profile photo is beautiful–you shine, girl! God's light within seeps through your every pore to illuminate this corner of the world.
Thank you. For so much.
Blessings.
Remembering the things of your childhood (especially on your brother's birthday)brought joy to my heart! I played with lighting bugs,also, only, I was not so kind to them. We would take their light off and put it on our finger and let it shine like a diamond ring. That little bug is truly a gift to children. And you, dear daughter, are a gift to your Dad and me and truly a light in our world!!!
I love you!!
Mom
I love lightening bugs. Brings back so many memories of childhood. Just a week or so ago my mom called me at 4am because her security alarm was going off and she couldn't stop it. I walked out on my deck to talk to her so I wouldn't wake Greg. It was raining, but there were lightening bugs everywhere in our field. It was the most serene picture…night,rain and lightening bugs.
Great post, friend. Love ya,
Leah
Thanks for being a light in my buggy life… Love you friend!
I love the story, which seemed as vivid in your telling of it as though I'd been there observing long ago.
I doubt there's been a period in history when our lights are more necessary. Shine on!
Blessings,
Kathleen
Hi sweet lady!!! Thank you for being a beautiful light to me. I'm praying we all shine brightly this week. It really is in the little things. 🙂
Love you!
Fran
I just watched the "not so great" Disney movie last night "Princess and the Frog". The lightning bug was my favorite character. I grew up with these in Savannah but they do not like Florida.
Enjoy my friend!
p
I think of long tennessee driveways and tons and tons of these little lights:) makes me miss pawbart and Irlene and makes me happy her middle name will live on in Lilli because if Lilli is half the women she was I will have to say I did a great job with her:)
Thinking of you….This is going to be such a special MONTH….
Hi Melinda:
I hopped over here from Sassy Granny's blog. What a wonderful posting! I think every child must have a lightening bug story, although I don't seem to see them so much in Texas these days.
What a good visual reminder of letting our lights shine!
Blessings!
Sonja