Poem: Summer Grace in Firefly Light

By Melissa McLaughlin

In still evening hush

The lightning bug arises

Commencing its summer dance of glory.

Greenish yellow glow

Twinkles on and then off

Floating, flickering, fleeting.

One blink and it’s gone.

No loud boom of fireworks

No harsh strobe lights or overdone efforts

of mankind striving to be seen and heard.

Human vain desires and garish power-struggles

have no bearing on the humble firefly’s show.

Softly, tenderly, gently

The firefly lights up the world

With glistening elegance.

Summertime in June

And into July

The Light of the world

Sends His tiny messengers

To reveal

There is One

Outside human spheres

Who calls to us daily.

“Can you see the work of My hands?”

“Can you discern My resplendent beauty?”

“Can you distinguish Divine glimpses of grandeur?”

Whispered radiance

Living, breathing, splendor.

If you rush past,

Can’t slow your pace,

You might miss this

Summer grace

In firefly light.

Poem Summer Grace in Firefly Light

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Beauty Flutters By

Holy Symmetry

Song of the Rose

26 thoughts on “Poem: Summer Grace in Firefly Light”

    • Dear Julie, your words always point me to Jesus. Thank you for your life, faith, and encouragement in Christ. I’m thankful if this little poem led you afresh to Jesus. Love and blessings to you and yours!

      Reply
  1. Beautiful!! Your words create a beautiful image of peace, especially after the loud holiday. It also reminded me of simpler times when I grew up in the 50s and 60s. My sister and I would hours outdoors chasing lightening bugs/fireflies. Oh, how I long for those pre-tech days.

    Reply
    • I know what you mean, Carol. Our childhood times were simpler and more peaceful. Chasing fireflies was a highlight every summer. Like you, I long for those pre-tech days, where God’s creation takes center stage. May we look past the world’s flashing to see His gentle glory. God bless you! And thank you for stopping by to share your insights.

      Reply
  2. Absolutely beautiful Melissa!
    You are an artist with words. You have such a tender, loving soul.

    We miss so much of the beauty that God sends us daily…even in a firefly. Shame on us for missing all these likenesses of God’s character. .
    Thank you for this wonderful reminder.
    And thank you, God, for eyes to see the beauty. We don’t take that for granted.

    Reply
    • Thank you, Mary Anne, for your kind words. Your encouragement means so much to me. All glory to God, the Maker of beauty far and wide!

      You are right, we miss so much beauty from God. He offers little respites from the heaviness of the world with blessings of beauty all around. O Lord, help us pause, help us see, help us behold Your loveliness.
      Thank you for all the pictures you share of God’s beautiful creation.
      God bless you, dear Mary Anne!

      Reply
    • Gail, I’m like you, when I slip away to nature, I always find the Creator. May we hear His voice calling us to come away from the world and rest with Him and gaze upon His beauty.
      God bless you!

      Reply
  3. Love this so much. You are right – we miss so much when we rush. Let’s slowwwwwwwww dowwwwwwwnnnn and appreciate God’s blessings and opportunities.

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  4. “Can you see the work of My hands?”
    “Can you discern My resplendent beauty?”
    “Can you distinguish Divine glimpses of grandeur?”

    You have described this so I feel as though I am back in time looking at the “lightening bugs” with my younger brother. Oh, how wonderful! I feel as though I am in my backyard as a child. All glory to God, the Intelligent Designer. Hallelujah and Amen!

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  5. It occurred to me as I was reading that that light is used to attract a mate. So, for thousands of years this light has led to life for the fireflies.

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  6. This is a beautiful and gentle poem, Melissa. It’s perfect. I’ve never seen a firefly in person and it’s one of the few things I want to do on this earth. I recall Karen Friday writing about fireflies some time ago as well. Someday I hope to see this wonder of God’s creative hand.

    Reply
    • Thank you, Stephen. I hope someday you get to see this amazing wonder of God’s creative power. There are no words to do justice to this divine sight, but I did my best. When I see fireflies, it always makes me feel like a child looking in total awe at something so small and yet so amazing.

      Reply

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