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TITLE: Painful Delight 3/23/17
By Karen Dick
03/23/17
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The branches of the lush magnolias were still; the chirp of the birds was silent. I fanned my face with a magazine, in the attempt to ward off the humid air in the solace of my back yard. My bare legs stuck to the wicker chair as I reached for my ice tea, and I stared at the warm glass in my hand.

The south had been my new home for only a short time. An unexpected job transfer had jarred and uprooted my contented lifestyle in the Pacific Northwest, and I was still reeling from the sudden change. But I was also confident that God had directed the move, and I searched for clear answers to my question – but why?

Thoughts of the farewell with my daughter, once again prodded open buried emotions. I wiped a stray tear from my cheek, as the image of her all alone and waving good-bye came to mind. Her figure became smaller as the car was distanced from her, when I still longed to hold her in my arms.

“I have my job here, Mom. I’ll be okay.” Her eyes were wide as she attempted to reassure me.

With a nod I squeezed her close to my heart, and prayed my Father would protect her. Then I let her go.

God did that with me. He assured me He loves me. And now He has given me a new life, in a new place. And I must trust. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

As I stretched my legs out in the darkness, setting in around me, a sudden blink of light caught my eye. I glanced around and another quick light blinked in the dimness of the shrubs. Certain that I was seeing things; I rubbed my eyes and looked again. The sudden twinkle continued… off and on, off and on. Then it dawned on me that it was fireflies. I had heard about them in the south, and it appeared that they were alive and well.

God encouraged me in many ways as my husband and I drove across the country. When our credit card was stolen, He provided. When a rest stop was desperately needed, He provided. When I thought I could not bear the separation from my daughter, He provided His own words to comfort me, and reminded me we are never alone.

Now as I watched the bright sparkle of the fireflies, I knew in my heart, God had given me a delightful gift to encourage me.

“Hello firefly,” I whispered with a smile. “Thank you for your kind welcome. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”


Proverbs 3:5 NIV
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