Behind our home stand many large trees that border a small creek bed. As the sun sets, fireflies rise from the grass and undergrowth, slowly soaring higher and higher until the trees appear decorated for Christmas.
Hundreds of glimmering lights sparkle against the deep dark of night.
God’s creative handiwork, right in our own backyard.
* * * * *
On the Fourth of July our family attended the local Independence Day parade. While waiting for the festivities to begin, a young boy seated next to us chatted with me every now and then.
One time he commented, “Wow! There’s not even one cloud in the sk___ . . . Wait a minute. There’s a little one over there.”
We both studied the wisp of vapor for a moment. “It’s disappearing already,” he added.
Together we witnessed the last visible curl evaporate away. My attention returned to people-watching.
Moments later the boy suddenly cried out, “There it is again!”
Sure enough, the water droplets had regathered themselves.
It was then I noticed a phenomenon that I’d missed before. In the area of that little cloud was a faint veil of fog, barely visible. Millions, perhaps billions of water droplets were suspended there all along.
The boy and I only noticed them when they drew together in a dense gathering.
Watching the cloud reform, the boy exclaimed, “Cool!” Cool indeed.
God’s ingenious engineering of the elements, right above the street.
* * * * *
After dinner recently Steve said, “I’ll do the dishes.”
Now lots of husbands probably do the dishes now and then. But do they also do the cooking? My Steve does! He actually enjoys it, and almost always takes care of the cleanup, too. (Sorry, he’s not for sale.)
God’s love expressed to me through my caring husband, right there in our kitchen.
* * * * *
Our toddler granddaughter loves the swings at the park. “Weeee!” she squeals with each push. For her it’s a new, exciting delight.
Actually, Elena’s days are filled with new discoveries: the ping-sound of a metal post when struck with a stick, the mystery of bubbles that disappear with a touch, the slow, spiral dance of a dropped feather.
Her eyes sparkle; her smiles and laughter indicate intense pleasure.
God’s gift of joy on display right in our own family.
* * * * *
And paying attention to all of these manifestations makes me more aware of his presence.
And awareness of his presence changes my heart.
Stress gives way to peace, tedium gives way to joy, striving gives way to contentment, fear gives way to consolation.
And surely God must smile when we live aware and celebrate his gracious provision.
* * * * *
I praise you, Father, for reminding me of your active, loving presence throughout each day, everywhere I go — even at a parade. Thank you for ministering to my needs, assuaging my fears, comforting my hurts, and giving me joy. What a gracious God you are!
Image credits: http://www.wikimediacommons.org (Sushanth2212); www. wikimediacommons.org (GerritR); http://www.flickr.com (Ryan Lee); Nancy Ruegg.
(I do apologize for reblogging again, this time from July 17, 2014. We’ve had one commitment, event, or appointment, one after another for the last week.)
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A beautiful post, Nancy. Your granddaughter is precious!
Thank you, Dwight. That granddaughter has morphed into a twelve-year-old, practically overnight. You know how that goes!
Oh yes! They grow up so fast!
I have seen a firefly is quite a long time. Thank you for sharing. Our God truly is amazing. From the clouds so far up to tiny fireflies. All here today and gone tomorrow. Yet He gives all for us to enjoy
Our gracious God does indeed supply countless delightful gifts for us to enjoy each day. I know you join me, Brenda, in praising God for his acts of power and surpassing greatness (Psalm 150:2)!
Amen 🙏🏽
Nancy, this is a beautiful post and if it is reblog no need to apologize. The description of fireflies reminds me of looking at the woods behind our house in the winter when the branches are bare and the stars shining in-between branches look like Christmas light strung high up on the tree. I call it God’s Christmas decorations and am actually thankful on the clear nights when the dogs get me up to go out so I can view His beauty.
That must be a glorious sight, Ruth! City lights dim the view of most stars where we live, but winter beauty can still be found. My favorite vista occurs when a full moon reflects off newly-fallen snow, infusing the landscape with sparkling crystals!
What a sweet little charmer is your granddaughter. Just being with little ones is enough to give us a spark similar to the fireflies. Lovely, magical post.
Thank you, Cathy. That sweet little charmer is now twelve years old, her little sister, eight. They still “give me spark” as I see their ongoing curiosity about the world, their delight in books, as well as the development of their gifts, talents, and interests. I’m sure you feel the same: it’s great fun to watch them grow up, if only it didn’t happen quite so fast!
I totally agree. My first grandson just turned 30. I’m catching up now with many years he was teaching ESL in S. Korea and home was S. Carolina. Now he’s back in Minnesota living with me. So grateful❤️
How delightful that he’s living with you! Such a special gift after so many years apart–praise God!
Praise God you were there to be kind to that curious little boy, to encourage your impressionable granddaughter, and to appreciate your doting husband. Wonderful post, Nancy. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. Seeking to live aware uncovers many blessings that might otherwise be missed. However, I’m only on the learning curve in this regard. ‘Still working at mindfulness and attentiveness!
You’re blowing it out of the water, Nancy. 🙌😁
Fireflies, clouds, attentive husbands, and unmitigated joy in the face of a grandchild. How could we ever even think of asking for more? This is what life is all about: living with joy in the moment. Blessings, Nancy!
Amen, Martha, to living with joy in the moment! Sometimes we have to be like that little boy who took note of the wispy cloud. We must LOOK for the blessings–not wait for them to grab our attention. And in the quest of blessing-treasure we find greater joy, I think!
The simple joys of life are gifts from God
Right you are, Matt! And there are so MANY simple joys of life. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights (James 1:17)–from the delightful wonder of cloud-formation, to a heart full of gratitude for a gracious husband. Lord, help me be watchful!
I love this, Nancy. Children have eyes to see what we adults don’t take time to see!
You’re so right, Pam. We can learn MUCH from children! I for one appreciate their wonder. We can become so accustomed to some “everyday’ miracles, we forfeit the joy of marveling at God’s workmanship.
Wonderful post!!! God’s ‘gracious provision’ is around us everywhere. It is also ‘within’ us, as He lifts up our spirits continuously and gives us hope.
Oh, good point, Linda! Blessings abound in the world around us but also within us! The encouragement and hope you mention would certainly be included at the top of the list. A worthy exercise would be to list the blessings occurring in our spirits as well as those we experience in the world!
you owe us no apology – this post brought me joy and a smile and peace so it is timely and wonderfully received!!
Thank you, Jean. What a delight for me to bring you joy, a smile, and peace! Praise God he brought me to this particular post to reblog!
Nothing changes the course of my day or the attitude of my heart more than recognizing the goodness of God all around me. As you said, even in my own family. And when I feel like complaining or when I am giving someone an update of hard times we may be experiencing, I try to add the fact that I am so blessed. Thank you for saying it so well, Nancy!
Sounds like you’re putting Philippians 4:8 into practice, Patty. Thank you for being an example to me!
Loved this one the first time – even more the second. We are so blessed with those things that it would be easy to not notice except you and I have made a conscious decision to document them. Nearly every day I am overwhelmed with His generosity. Love you, honey. Mick
Yes, I’m SO thankful that years ago (1983) I began that record of God’s faithfulness to our family and more recently (2017) in a daily gratitude journal. MANY blessings would have passed by me unnoticed if I hadn’t been exercising the discipline of documentation, which “forces” me to pay closer attention. (Dear friends are mentioned frequently!)
🥰
As they are in mine! 😘
Nancy,
Yes, little things show the hand of the Lord to encourage us through the daylies of life. Have a great week, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Couldn’t agree more, Gary! You bring up a good question to ask as we live more aware of God’s work around us: What does this show me about him? Do I see his power at work? His compassion? Wisdom? Grace? Generosity? Love? The list could go on, and the addition of praise would surely impact our spirits even more profoundly than gratitude by itself.
I hadn’t “found” you when this post first came out. I’m glad you put it up again–a beautiful reminder of a few of God’s many gifts to His children.
Thank you, Linda. I’m so glad you found beauty here–praise God!
I loved reading these little glimpses of your blessed life—particularly the story about observing the night sky. I need to do more of that! TT
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I do love the fireflies! During our forty years in Florida we never saw one, unless visiting family in the Midwest. Now I get to enjoy them every evening, for much of June and July.
Nancy, I just love your attention to that little boy, and to the wonders and beauty around you in your every day moments. ❤️
Thank you, Deborah. Attentiveness leads to more joy–a strong motivator, and gratitude to God adds even more delight!
It was delightful to read this again. Your conversation with the young boy was wonderful. And it does seem that more and more guys love to cook! My nephew is a really great cook. (He makes the most delicious dressing at Thanksgiving.) My, have things changed since I was a young girl. My Dad was never found in the kitchen except at mealtime! LOL!!! And I understand how precious it is to be your grandchildren. I adore spending time with my great and great-great nieces and nephews, even though one of them asked if Mom and I were sisters! They have my heart!
I cooked for the first twenty years of our marriage; Steve started pitching in when I went back to full time teaching. He’s much better at it than I ever was! 😁 / I’ll bet your mom loved being mistaken for your sister! /So glad you found delight in a second reading of this post, Cheri!
🙂
Thank you, Anna!
I love hearing about the fireflies, right there in your backyard. We didn’t have them in any of the places where I’ve lived so they seem almost unreal. God’s illumination in tiny blinking dots. I do share the joy you have experienced through your grandchildren. I never tire of their innocent moments of wonder.
Oh yes–the innocent moments of wonder with a child–precious gifts indeed!
I love this blog–I’m glad you reblogged—what an encouragement for us to pay attention to all the many ways God is telling us that He loves us!! 🙂 Thank you!! (I have a husband that cooks and does dishes too–I’m with you–he’s not for sale either. 🙂 )
We ARE blessed, Katie! I never really enjoyed cooking–my husband does. Doing the dishes is another way he puts love in action. Sounds like your husband is doing the same!
Yes!! 🙂
No problem with reblogging. 🙂 I do that sometimes, too. I figure a lot of people who read now didn’t know me back when. And sometimes I forget what I’ve written, too–a few times I’ve had thoughts on a subject, only to discover I’ve already written about it.
These are sweet moments of recognizing God’s fingerprints in the everyday.
Thank you for the encouragement Barbara! It occurred to me also that for new subscribers, any re-blogs could pass as recent posts. Also, if I can’t remember writing a certain post, chances are readers don’t either. I love your imagery of God’s fingerprints. They’re all over every day, that’s for sure!