Encouragement

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Our rental jeep wrapped around the last curve that placed us at the entrance to The Evins Mill Resort- the mill established in 1939 is a rustic, beautiful backdrop! We were just outside of Smithville Tennessee and a bit tired from a couple of days of business spent driving and visiting our nursery customers. The first look at the beautiful lodge excited all my senses; I had anticipated our stay ever since I had found the incredible place while making the arrangements for our business trip. It was even more inviting than the photos online, and we felt like royalty as we were greeted and ushered inside. The staff had our packet and keys waiting for us and a brief recap of what was included during our stay – a room for the night, 40 acres of wooded property with trails, a waterfall to discover, dinner, breakfast and even a boxed lunch the following day! We exited the lodge to take our luggage to the quaint wooden bungalow that we would occupy for the evening.

Large wooden porch rockers adorned the deck which ran along the entire front of the lodge. To my right as I gazed at all the treetops which engulfed the property, I noticed the path that led to the bridge. The trees partially obstructed the view, but I could tell that the bridge crossed over to the old, rustic mill as we maneuvered along the wooden path following the signs that led us to our guest room. I grew more excited to explore and the peaceful atmosphere washed over me like a blanket -even before we sat down in the two wicker rockers perched on our rooms private wooden deck. The lodge style look to our room was warm and welcoming, but I wasted no time before I slipped back outside to sit down on our deck with no other pressing matters. The tone was set by the sound of the running creek below mixed with no other noise but periodic leaves rustling from the trees that were nestled around our bungalow – anybody else need some planned moments like these?!

With much to discover and feeling grateful, we made our way to the old mill and quickly understood why the property had such fabulous reviews. I’m a nature lover - I could have spent a few days taking photos of this haven. But one of my top highlights was to sit and watch the fireflies. We don’t get to witness them in Central Washington where I live. The experience was rather enchanting – I loved the ambiance of the south. My husband and I watched from our deck after our dinner. The weather was calm and the temperature had cooled a bit by 9:00 pm, so it was a perfect evening to sit outside. The fireflies were everywhere…they looked like blinking stars all over the forest. What a beautiful sight – like the actual stars in the sky weren’t enough for us to enjoy! What a special treat it was to stay and relax… but the fireflies, they wouldn’t easily escape my thoughts.

My husband, Doug, after a few attempts was able to catch a firefly in his hand. Like a couple of kids at Disneyland, we were enthralled in the moment! Anyone else chase fireflies?! He would open up his hand and we would both wait and watch for the light to spark… then it would and we would be in awe… to then watch the light go away momentarily…but waiting in expectation of it sparking again and of course it did! The photos I took didn’t capture the beauty of all the flashing lights of the fireflies – my thoughts and reflections would have to serve as memories.

Light shines brightest in the dark, or maybe I should say that we see light more distinctly in the dark. I wondered where these fireflies hung out in the daytime and if their lights still flashed during the hours of the day. Being curious, I briefly searched online to learn a few things about them. To keep it short, I learned that these fascinating bugs are often called “lightning bugs”, have a short life span, thrive near forests, fields and marshes that are near lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams. Fireflies only live long enough to mate and lay eggs. It takes a month for the eggs to hatch; then the larvae spend a year or so feeding on worms, snails and slugs before they turn into fireflies.

Their glow comes from photic organs (inward organs that produce light). The light is a way in which they attract each other and also warn predators of their awful taste – each species has its own light flashing pattern. Fireflies hang out close to the ground in the day, for most of their work is done at night- romance happens at night in the lightning bug world! Interesting to me was the fact that some fireflies may never eat at all if they complete their mating cycle before they get around to eating. Imagine that, being so focused on your life mission that you don’t eat?! When their life’s work is complete they have reached the end of their time.

The “light” within my own heart brought these scriptures to the forefront of my mind. My devotional thoughts reflected upon Jesus – the light of the world and the way the Holy Spirit works within believers all over the world. Like all those fireflies in the night – we’re containers of light... beautiful because of Jesus shining within us!

John 8: 12 Jesus spoke to the people and said “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but WILL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE.

Matthew 5: 14-16 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it give light to everyone in the house. In the same way, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.

Ephesians 5:8 –17 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lords will is.

Questions to Ponder:

What is your top priority today?

Does it align with the Lord’s top priority for you today?

Would your main priority change if you knew you had limited time?

Name one thing you want to accomplish before the end of your time on this earth.

Do you trust the Lord to be the “light” today IN YOU ?

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