It was a hot humid night in Topeka, Kansas, I was 8-9 years old, it was my first journey out of the bubble I lived in, Salinas, California

It was at this age the world opened up to me, I have never travelled anywhere out of the state of California. I knew there was a world out there to experience and see but only by maps.

My grandmother bought a greyhound ticket to go visit her sister, Aunt Bea and open the world to me by buying a ticket for me too.

It was a 3 days journey on a greyhound bus, my grandmother didn’t trust flying, it was the 80’s. But we passed through the bright lights of Vegas, the desert, small portion of Texas and my face was glued to the window soaking in the sights.

Little did I know when I arrived in Topeka Kansas, I was about to see the greatest thing my childhood eyes have ever seen, I was about to experience something which will impact me into adulthood.

The evening came and we were all outside and all of a sudden I seen it, the flicker of light flying through the sky and then another and another.

It was amazing!

My child like mind went into action, if only I could capture some of these insects, which I did and put them in a mason jar. I wanted to bottle up the experience and show everyone back home.

Not only did I want to show them, but my plan was to migrate the firefly to California. Oh to be a child again.

All this came flooding back to me last night as we arrived home from hanging out with friends from church, sharing life together.

When we arrived home, my daughter came in and said dad look I caught a fire fly. I went outside to help my wife put some things in the car and looked out and our yard was just full of fireflies. My mind raced backed to my childhood experience but also pointed me in another direction.

Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps… Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! – Psalm 148:7,10

As I stood there watching the fireflies flying and glowing, the firefly (creeping thing) was doing what it was created to do and by fulfilling its purpose, the firefly brings praise to God.

Yet as I stood there watching my eyes drawn to the fireflies once again. But this time as my eyes were drawn to the glowing in my yard my heart was drawn heavenward in praise and adoration of the genius and greatness of God, who created the firefly.

Until Next Time

Solo Deo Gloria