For those of you who were not up earlier this morning, summer, that is the Solstice, occurred at 5:13 AM. Last night the lightning bugs were letting us all know that the season of warmer days but hopefully cool nights is upon us. Now the days will begin to grow shorter and the nights longer.
Lightning bugs, a kind of beetle, blink their bioluminescence in search of what most humans need, a little food and lots of love. The males, much like the males in many other species, light up, the equivalent of strutting about. But, thanks be to God, our species has developed enough so that character means more than appearance.
Swirling about us those little bugs remind us of the importance of the search for love, perhaps as important as the culmination itself. As we enter this season of summer, let us be mindful of the fragility as well as the beauty of creation, for it is so easy to destroy what is around us.
Prayer for the Day
Awe-inspiring God, we join with all creation to sing of your glory,
But sometimes we despair of the evil we see around us;
Reveal your light through the faces of others, many we do not know,
And enable us to find your grace where we least expect it.
Hold us in your heart as we seek to be instruments of your love
Sharing your realm of justice and peace.
In the name of the One who brings us your vision of righteousness,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.”
- Maud Hart Lovelace, Minnesota author, from Betsy-Tacy and Tib (1892-1980)
The summer stretched out the daylight as if on a rack. Each moment was drawn out until its anatomy collapsed.
- China Miéville, British author, from Perdido Street Station
O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving;
Let us make a joyful noise to God with songs of praise.
Psalm 95: 1-2