I would venture that most people at present agree that the world’s condition is troublesome. There is a lot with which to be concerned, though not everyone’s concerns are in agreement. It seems to become harder and harder with each passing day to agreeably disagree with our friends and acquaintances.

But there is comfort in those things that do not change. I am by nature a traditionalist, and I have little (in some cases, no) patience for change. Unfortunately for those like me, it seems everything changes. Yet there is comfort in those things that stay the same.

And there is also discomfort in some things that remain the same. In just a few days from this writing, we will officially per the calendar enter the summer of 2020. The fact that summer is once again arriving is evidence of no change. The seasons come and go each year in much the same way in the same area.

I enjoy summer. The days are longer, and the lengthening days and amount of sunshine seem to always improve my mood. I enjoy the temperatures, for the most part. I love the green leaves. I even like mowing the lawn on my riding mower—I can’t say I get the same enjoyment from using the push mower!

One of my favorite things about summer is the fireflies. This reminds me of the days of childhood when I and my niece Sheila would catch them and put them in baby food jars.

It did seem a tragedy to throw them out the next morning after their last flickers of life had guided me to sleep the night before, but the next night brought the same adventure.

Alas, it has been several decades since I caught fireflies.

Much like Ebenezer Scrooge when the Ghost of Christmas Past took him back to his apprenticeship in Fezziwig’s establishment during a Christmas Eve party, he saw his former self dancing with his love. The aged Scrooge was enjoying seeing himself making merry until the Ghost asked, “How long since you danced, Ebenezer?” Scrooge replied, “Dancing, a waste of time.” The Ghost ventured, “You didn’t think so then.” Gruffly Scrooge replied, “There was a reason then.” I guess I don’t have the reasons now to catch fireflies that I had as a child.

There is an episode of the television show In the Heat of the Night (“King’s Ransom”) that also gives me pause for wonder. Conrad “King” Baylor, a former boxing champ who has suffered financial difficulty after his stint as a champion has withered, seeks to renew his fortune by informing on a mobster for whom he worked. In one episode just outside a pool hall, Chief Bill Gillespie tries to urge King to seek gainful employment. King notices some other members of Gillespie’s force outside the establishment and jumps to the conclusion that they are following him. King angrily confronts them, only to discover the policemen have rescued a group of children and their adult leaders from a broken down bus on their way from a picnic. After King leaves, Officer Jamison asks the chief what is wrong with King. Gillespie says something to the effect, “The years go by and the good things don’t happen. God save us from that fate.”

From that fate I thankfully have been saved. I remember reading a biography on Benjamin Franklin in a Scholastic book when I was in elementary school. At the end of the book, Franklin is old, sitting in the sun, close to the end of life. He says, “Life has been good to me. I should like to live it all over again.” To this point I can wholeheartedly agree with Franklin, and for that I am thankful. Even so, I don’t catch fireflies anymore.

For some life on this earth was never great, and for some it once was great but now has become a drudging burden. Perhaps those of us who are stronger can encourage those who struggle, thereby achieving the height of God’s plan for our lives—to serve God by helping others. It is by helping others that we ourselves become elevated.

My wish for you, Faithful Reader, is that this summer is your best since childhood, but yet not the greatest you shall have. Even though it has its rainy days, poison ivy, mosquitos, and sometimes excessive heat, it is still a lovely season full of long days and bright sunshine. Spread some of that light to those in darkness, and you will yourself become brighter. Remember:

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like . . . a banana!