In general, I don’t like bugs—except for ladybugs and fireflies. I remember as a child watching fireflies light up the night as darkness fell on warm, midwestern summer evenings.
Although I am not a firefly, my husband calls me “glow worm” because I love to GLOW—especially during summer travels. When flying, I find someone in the waiting area who looks bored, and offer them a GLOW tract. No one has refused the free reading material. Before getting on the plane I hand a GLOW tract, along with my boarding pass, to the gate agent. When seated, I tuck a tract into the in-flight magazine, praying that it will be found by just the right person.
When we’re on a road trip, our family leaves tracts at rest areas, where other travelers can enjoy reading them while taking a break. When we're dashing through drive-throughs, it’s fun to see the surprised smiles of employees as they hand us our order and we give back a GLOW tract. Giving tracts with a smile (and money!) to collectors at toll booths is another way to spread the light.
As fun as these random encounters are, one of the most memorable took place at our local Target store. Chatting with the young cashier as she put my few items into a bag, the subject of the Twilight films came up. Pulling a GLOW tract from my purse, I offered her “Twilight—Trick or Truth.” She immediately took the tract and started reading. Walking away, I looked back and noticed a long line of impatient customers standing in the checkout line, one with her fingers drumming on the conveyor belt, as the cashier stood there, engrossed in her GLOW tract.
I have found that “GLOWing” is a great way to meet people, have fun, share my faith, and bring light into this darkened world.
“Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever” (Dan. 12:3, Message).*
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* Texts credited to Message are from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
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Gina Wahlen is assistant to the editor of the Adventist Review and enjoys GLOWing with her family, Clinton, Daniel, and Heather. This article was published May 24, 2012.
