Summer Light Show
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill
cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a
bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in
the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they
may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:14-16
NIV)
It is going to feel like Christmas in July in the field behind my home for
the next few weeks. My backyard buddies, the fireflies have finally returned
to put on another Summer light show every evening for all of us to enjoy. It
is such a delight seeing their little, golden lights blinking on and off
just like the lights on a Christmas tree. It brings me such joy watching my
whole backyard and the woods around it twinkle like it is Christmastime
while the warm, summer breezes tickle my face. It reminds me that anytime of
the year can feel like Christmas if you have love in your heart and light in
your soul.
Still, there are times I feel a bit sorry for my firefly friends. They shine
for only a brief time each Summer and their lights while beautiful last only
a moment before fading again. In fact, I sometimes feel like a firefly
myself. I try my best to shine long and bright with love, joy, and oneness
with God, but it seems at times the most I can do is flicker. I am working
hard, though, to leave my light on a bit longer each time and trying my best
to make my moments of darkness less and less. I am asking God to help me
everyday too and hope to one day shine more like a star and less like a
blinker.
I hope that you are doing your best as well to shine bright and leave your
light on in this life. I pray too that if you can’t keep your light on all
the time then you are at least blinking as much light, love, joy, kindness,
goodness, peace, happiness, helpfulness, laughter, and caring as you can.
Perhaps one day all of us will shine together and with God’s help will
create a summer light show that never ends. Perhaps we will not just help
make everyday feel more like Christmas, but make everyday be Christmas.
Perhaps one day we all will work together to help the fireflies chase the
darkness away forever.
By: Joseph J. Mazzella
Joe Mazzella is a writer and mental Health worker who lives in the mountains of West Virginia with his 3 children, 6 dogs, and 4 cats. He appreciates hearing from his readers. joemazzella@frontier.com