I often recall many fond, childhood memories of catching fireflies or “Lightening Bugs”, as we used to call them.

We’d spend hours chasing them down on hot, humid summer nights. Usually that meant finding an old Mason jar or some other jar that had once contained pickles, mayonnaise, mustard or something else, and had been washed for reuse. We’d cut a hole in the jar lid and we’d partially fill the jar with grass or other vegetation to act as a comfortable “home” for those which we would eventually capture.

The nights that were best were moonless nights. The darkness would increase the visibility of the flashes made by these fascinating little creatures. Once a flash was spotted, we would run to the area of the flash and silently wait for another flash of light. Each flash would bring us closer to the fireflies’ location, which was often the leaf of a weed at the edge of the surrounding wooded area.

Once we were close enough, we would wait for one more little flash with hands already cupped around the area of the previous flash. The next flash would light the exact location and the little bug would be trapped in cupped hands, while shouts of victorious glee would fill the night air. Then, carefully, the firefly would be transferred to its new ‘home” in the jar. An evening would often result in jars containing a dozen or more fireflies each.

The last part was maybe the most rewarding. After the parents called us in out of the darkness because of the growing lateness of the evening, we would reluctantly return to the house with our jars in hand. Then, however, it was straight to the bedroom, all lights off, huddled around the jars, watching them as multiple flashes would light the area around the jars. Having so many bugs meant that the flashes were often one right after another and that collectively they created enough light that we could see one another’s faces in the completely darkened room. It was exciting and fascinating.

I was reminded of these memories recently and couldn’t help but think about how much light these little flashes created. In the vastness of the outdoors, a small flash of light makes a huge impact on the surrounding darkness.

I also can’t help but think how much impact our little acts of truth and light can affect the darkness of the world that we live in. Our collective little flashes are enough to illuminate the face of God in that darkness and reveal it to others. If we will so let our light shine. Blessings!

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