Don’t Lose the Wonder

Don’t lose the wonder

My granddaughter is in the “lantern phase” of life. She focuses on what is right in front of her. She takes in everything around her that she sees. She points to pictures and lights and says, “oooh”. “Ooooh” as we open the mailbox, “oooh” as she sees a bird outside, “oooh” to anything that is a curiosity. I love it.

As we grow older we can lose that sense of wonder. We realize that we have to become responsible. Wonder has a way to get replaced with work. It is easy to miss the goodness that is there and to take it for granted. You and I still need wonder. It is shows the goodness that is all around us if we have eyes to see.

To do this i have to break my routine and notice what is around me.

I live in the beautiful Northwest. I’ve stopped myself more than once to look around at the mountains that surround us, the changing of the color of the trees in the fall and the blooming of the flowers in the Spring and Summer. To appreciate goodness, I need to get outside and take in the wonder of all that God has created. It is good for my soul. And my body can use the exercise.

This may sound crazy, but I’ve taken walks or hikes and say to myself, “for this moment, I don’t work anywhere. I don’t own a home. I really don’t own anything. I don’t have any responsibilities. I don’t have any problems.” I pray, “So it’s just you and me Lord.” At those moments nothing else matters. I look around and just appreciate the beauty of the sky and trees and blooming flowers. I thank God for each thing I see. I’m not just looking for an escape from my responsibilities, but to distance myself long enough to see things from a fresh perspective.

When I really see through eyes of wonder again, it stirs something within me – this is good. I listen to the sounds. I take in the sights and smells and tastes. I can begin to see goodness as I see the world through the eyes of God.