God moment
Fireflies are also called “lightning bugs”. These insects obviously got their name because of their signature glow. So where did that light come from?
The National Geographic site explains that “fireflies have dedicated light organs that are located under their abdomens. The insects take in oxygen and, inside special cells, combine it with a substance called luciferin to produce light with almost no heat.”
Paula J. Fox’s book Heart of a Teacher talked about fireflies. It is my current inspirational masterpiece after reading one part that says “Fireflies are ‘God moments’”.
My mind started processing this. “God moments” are those glowing moments, much like the firefly glow, that we suddenly become aware that God is in the moment, touching our lives in a special way, and we are encouraged and inspired by that personal touch.
I started reflecting. What have been those glowing and sparkling moments in my life that made me feel good?
Flashbacks….when I held my first born son Renwick and after that I was able to gobble down a vegetable soup that I long declared was “yucky”. Thank God for the ordeal but I had a beautiful son and I was a vegetable-eater from then on!
…when my second son EJ finished Summa Cum Laude from De La Salle University with a degree in Software Technology. He never told me he was targeting that plum every semester. I didn’t put the pressure either. So when he told he about the honor, I was surprisingly delighted. Such a glowing moment from a proud mom. Thank God for giving me a brilliant son!
…when I gave birth to my only daughter Nica. My husband and I had longed for a daughter and it was a glowing moment to finally have her—a sweet legacy from him before he died six years after. Today, Nica has grown to be a very beautiful, sensitive but level-headed lady. It has always been a glowing moment to watch her grow…in her joyous as well as painful experiences that I know will make her a more responsible person. God knew I would need a wonderful daughter by my side when I will go through my joys and pains, too.
…when I passed the licensure exam for professional teachers. Wow, it was indeed a firefly moment. At my prime and more than 25 years after I left college, I was able to hurdle a board exam! I also surprised myself when I went back to school and spent two semesters in getting a Diploma in Professional Education then subjected (some of my friends termed it “tortured”) myself into taking a whole-day Board exam and making it! I guess God wanted to prove that He beyond my intellectual ability. It’s not about me but all about Him. His grace and wisdom saw me through. Thank you God!
…when I wake up still breathing! How could that not be a “God moment”? Some people just die in their sleep. Still some wake up but they have to spend for oxygen to enter their lungs. It is always a glowing moment to open my eyes, stretch and rise up to a brand new day. No matter how daunting the day will be, I could not get out of my bed without whispering to God, “Thank you for waking up to another day of blessings!”
To cut the story short, my entire life is actually a “God moment” in itself. I hope you feel the same way too.
Just like a firefly light that is usually intermittent, and flashes in patterns, our life may not be glowing with joy perfectly. Your friend may be sparkling with victories at one point and you’re not, but hey, the light in us glows uniquely from each other.
Remember that a firefly’s blinking pattern is its optical signal that helps them find potential mates. And when they do, it is sheer joy. Just the same, when our joys are not there and they turn off our smiles, the mere exercise is making us strong and keeps the hope that something good is going to happen—-a rainbow after the rain.
Recent studies show that it is getting more and more difficult to see the large displays of fireflies that our parents and grandparents may have witnessed. The magnificent and spectacular displays of fireflies are disappearing around the world because the insects are becoming endangered or threatened. When fireflies disappear, it is an indicator that the quality of the air, water and environment is in jeopardy.
We can’t afford to lose the glow in our lives, either. No matter how sad or oppressed our life is, we need to spot that spark, that lightning bug, that positive glow that is with us every day.
Lamentations chapter 3 talks about a man afflicted with disease and surrounded with bitterness and hardship. Yet he continues to hope in the Lord whose mercy and grace come in fresh everyday. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
The “God moments” will never be exhausted. It should always glow. So when we struggle, we just have to look at a glass that is half full not half empty. Thank God for everything and anything—sad or happy, good or bad, success or failure.
Every second in our life is a gift from God–those small moments of brilliance and joy we discover in a normal day that bring light into our lives and make us want to share the good feelings.
Show others what a “God moment” is —a loving word, an act of kindness, a smile, a hug, an appreciation of nature and other things that lift their spirits. When we do this, God is present at the moment and what a better place it is to be in.
