One of my favorite things to do as a child, was to catch lightning bugs (fireflies) at night. I would pull the light out and put it on my ring finger, pretending I was engaged. Now, I realize I was just putting bug guts on my finger. Not quite as magical.
I haven’t chased down lightning bugs in a very long time. In fact, I haven’t even thought of them in years.
Last week Melissa Tagg asked a question on her blog, Tag(g)lines: “How has God wow-ed you this week?” She had a beautiful, exciting post about her nephew, Ollie, with an amazing video of him before his surgery. I encourage you to read about it by following the link above and following her blog. She’s a talented writer, with a gift at hilarity!
How has God wow-ed me?
For the sake of sparing some embarrassment, I’m going to be a little vague, but my daughter, Bailey (12), spent a week up north with my family.
We’ve had some major disappointments in our family over the last few years, when someone we love dearly walked away from us and his faith. We’ve had time to grieve, get angry, resentful, bitter…and then time to let God heal and bring peace to those wounds.
But Bailey just found out. She’s going through the deep hurt and angry stage. And I’m letting her. Because, it isn’t fair to expect her to “straighten up that attitude when he’s around.” I expect her to be respectful, but God is going to have to do for her, what He’s done for the rest of us.
This family member showed up while Bailey was visiting, and she purposely ignored his knocks on the door. When he finally came in and tried to visit with her, because truth is–he loves her–she stared at her phone pretending to text.
He knew what was wrong. He told her if she ever wanted to talk to him about anything, she could. She ignored him.
Later, after he left, she came into the living room with tears in her eyes and said to my mom, “I wasn’t nice to him.” Then she shared about not answering the door, pretending to text, and ignoring him. (He didn’t share that with my mom.)
And then she said, “But God told me something.”
“What did He say?” my mom asked.
Bailey wiped her eyes. “He said, ‘Bailey, you know how lightning bugs’ lights go on and off? Well, that’s what’s happened to him. His light’s gone off…but it’s going to come back on. And do you know when you go to catch a lightning bug, right before you grab it, the light goes off? You have to wait…be still…watch…and then the light comes back on and you can catch it. Be still, Bailey…just wait.”
That’s what God said to my daughter. My 12 year old daughter! That’s how God wow-ed me.
I sobbed because, I’m overjoyed and in awe that my daughter listens to God, that He speaks to her so intimately at a young age, though I shoudn’t be surprised. I wept because it renewed my hope that our dear loved one hadn’t escaped God’s eyes, arms, or heart. That God still indeed has plan for his life and hasn’t given up on him.
And I cried out of shame, because I had. I’d given up, succumbed that this was just the way it was. Some days, his name never entered into my prayers. I was tired of praying. Tired of believing and I became complacent. Which is exactly what the enemy wants for us. But we can’t give up hope. We can’t stop praying for loved ones.
Like a lightning bug, a light blinked on in my heart, to illuminate God’s truth:
“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10:29
Question for you: What’s one favorite childhood, summer memory?
I'll answer that question in a minute….right now I'll say this.
Your story just made a light go on in my heart! <3 Thank you!
My favorite childhood memory? My grandmother was old when I was born….probably in her 60's, which seems young to me now. But she no longer had her teeth, and she must have had chin hairs, because every day, while she soaked her teeth, she lathered up her chin and shaved! I used to peek around the corner, enthralled…and maybe a little horrified! 🙂 (Do chin hairs and no teeth run in families?) When she saw me there, Grandma would suck in her cheeks and make her lips stick WAY out like a fish and chase me around her neat little house until she caught me and kissed me, shaving cream and all! I never laughed so hard as I did then! I also loved going to church with her and my Grandpa…so there ya go! 🙂
Wow, Jessica, what a blessing you have in your daughter. =) That's just. . . amazing.
Summer childhood memory, hmm… well, one thing my cousins and I would do is run in the sprinklers in Grandma's backyard. I remember my legs being covered in grass. And I remember that she would also put a sheet over her patio table in the backyard and let us play "house" under there with some pots and pans. I miss my grandma dearly. Sigh. =)
Profound point Bailey made!
And that she felt so deeply about it all…that would speak volumes to me.
We had a pond growing up. I loved catching bullfrogs and floating out on the raft my dad built from an old fence.
~ Wendy
What a testimony to you as a parent and to your daughter. I love it when God speaks to our children. It's such a humbling experience.
I've always loved the 4th of July. I remember going with my family to watch the fireworks every year. It always seemed to be a nice break in the routine and I got to stay up late which was a plus. :o)
Love catching bugs and running through the corn field at my grandma's! 🙂 Great daughter, and I feel you on the family stuff. It's tough.
Such a beautiful post. 🙂 I'll pray for this family member too.
My favorite summer memories are of days spent playing with my cousin.
I looked forward to reading this blog since you'd mentioned on mine that you were going to tell us about God's revelation through your daughter. Tears in my eyes!! And I'm actually reading it at the office, so I'm hoping no one wanders into my cubicle…:)
Seriously, though, God speaking so clearly to your daughter is AWESOME…I love that He not only did a number on her heart, but yours also…and definitely others who get the joy of reading about it now. Thanks so much for sharing.
Just two more things: Thanks so much for the blog shout-out!! And…I had a friend growing up who would catch lightning bugs and stick them on his ear like earrings. Never failed to impress me. 🙂
Jerri: The hairy chin has me in stiches!
Michelle: I just wrote a guest post about my grandma. I too, miss her dearly.
Wendy: I don't think I'd touch a frog as a child, but the homeade fence as a raft sounds like a blast!
Sheri: I love the 4th too. I have fond memories of watching explosions of color, mosquitos biting the snot out of me, and…staying up late! Fun.
Jessica: It is tough, but we're makin it! We grew up around cornfields and loved playing in them. 🙂
Misha: Thanks for your prayers. I loved playing Star Wars with my cousins. Family makes for some of the best memories!
Melissa: You're welcome for the shout out! I never did the earrings, just my ring finger. LOL I guesss she was ahead of the game on bling. 😉
I'm having to take deep breaths to keep from sobbing right now, Jessica. And I'm not even exagerating.
That was the sweetest story E-VER!
My friend (twenty-one at the time) spread lightning bug magic down her arms and under her eyes when we were bridesmaids of an outdoor wedding once. It was funny to me, not to the bride.
Beautiful story, Jessica. Thanks for sharing it.
You must feel nothing but joy that your own flesh and blood is listening to God. How awesome!
Wow, that was a powerful post, and thanks for writing it! It made me all teary. 🙂 The best thing to do sometimes is to pray for people–especially those who have walked away or have hurt us. Hard to do, but a great thing to learn.
Fave childhood summer memory for me? Playing on my family's property, using tree stumps for houses and forts–and one fallen tree in particular we used the bouncy branches to "ride" on. Fun!
Thank you for sharing.
I used to love sitting outside on my large swing set (we lived in the country) and swing until all hours while I listened to my walkman. I loved being outside – do kids do that nowadays or do they stay in and play video games?
What a beautiful story. Your daughter is an amazing little girl.
Like Tiffany, I lived in the country and spent a lot of time swinging with the radio blaring. I thought I was the only person who did that until today, lol. I loved being outside and watching the sunset. Nature wows me every day:)
Heather: I felt the same way about your blog today. Something about your little boy riding through sand and you knowing he could teared me all up! The bridesmaid wearing lightning bug guts is hilarious!! I'd love to see pics.
Loree: Thanks and yes, yes, yes! I'm pretty proud to say the least. 🙂
Carol: I couldn't agree more. And bouncing on branches. Priceless for sure.
Tiffany: I'm cracking up. Walkmans. Yes indeed! With foam ear sets. Occasionally, I could get the radio. I spent lots of time doing that too.
Stacy: As you can see from my comment on Tiffany's post, yep…me too! I loved swinging. Now it makes me nauseated. Literally. I hate getting old!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story, Jessica. So encouraging to hear the faith in your daughter's words of hope. Love it when our children inspire us to a deeper walk with the Savior. How special!
*Praying for your loved one today!
Well…now that I've dried my eyes and blown my nose…your description of the lightning bugs was timely as I was just watching them in my yard last night and thinking about how I loved catching them as a little girl. It was such fun, but I never did turn one into jewelry! 😉 Hugs to you and your lovely family.
Oh I had a two-tissue eye-wiper with this story. I'm so glad you were willing to share this touching, inspirational moment. So full of hope and encouragement!
That is a beautiful story. I hope everyone in the situation can have peace.
I guess I was wowed this week when I was struggling with something very specific and my friend found a speech on the exact topic. When she emailed it to me, it was exactly what I needed to hear. I was grateful my friend was so in tune with the spirit to know how to help me out.
Such a great story and such a good reminder for those of us who have given up on someone who's light has gone out. I have someone I used to love who is experiencing that very thing.
Some of my favorite summer time memories happened at my parents house while I was in college. My parents moved to the country my second year in college. I have great memories of my college friends and I dancing on their deck to the radio while my Dad grilled steaks and mom set out enough food to feed twice as many as were there.
Thank-you Jessica. This touched my heart in a very near and dear way and has renewed my hope too. It's encouraged me to add a name back into my daily prayers, and reminded me that God hasn't forgotten.
God didn't just speak to your daughter, He spoke through her and to the rest of us. Thank you so much for sharing this.
That's so lovely, and so great that your daughter has such a strong awareness of God, too.
Such a sweet story and a very profound analogy.
I think my favorite summer memories are going on trips with my family and all the crazy things that would happen. They make such great stories now. 🙂
Oh, Jessica. How beautiful! She listens and God says such amazing things to her. That's wonderful.
My favorite childhood memories revolve around my 9 cousins and all of my second cousins when my family was all together during the summer. Such gun times!
Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing. Sometimes I think our children pay more attention when God speaks than we do. My favorite childhood memory? Probably sitting on my grandmother's lap while she sat on the bed, on top of a quilt. She pointed out some of the fabrics in the quilt and told me where they came from. She made me realize there was a place for me in our family, and more important, in God's family.
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