Wonder
Over the last 18 months, I’ve entered a new season. The many positive things I'd heard made me eagerly anticipate experiencing it. I'm talking about the joy of being a grandparent. An opportunity to take on a new role and to see the world through
different eyes.
My grandson is a very energetic child who likes nothing
better that exploring new spaces and pushing boundaries! As he has developed
from a new-born, it has been fascinating to see how wonder has awakened within
him. At first he would be caught up staring at a shaft of light, or watching
the leaves blown by the wind. Then, when solid food was introduced, he would joyfully
await his boiled egg, I have never seen anyone so excited over an egg! Nowadays, his whole body reacts with joy and wonder at the things we often take for
granted, a dog walking by, another dog walking by, a watering can, a new-born
chick. I laugh to see him literally shake with excitement.
I’m reminded how easy it is for us to lose our sense of
wonder as things become familiar and normal. We have many opportunities to
travel and see amazing things, but there is wonder right on our doorsteps. In
the beauty of nature and everyday life, the reflection of a tree in a puddle, the way a flower can grow in a
scrap of soil and so many, many more things.
I love to write devotionals. I realise that part of what
I want to do is to help reawaken wonder within us. As I reflect on biblical
truths and stories that may have become familiar in the telling, there is often
a fresh light that shines. God speaks through His Word, bringing a new sense of
wonder, uncovering a fresh understanding. The Word of God is living and has the
power to break into our everyday lives with acute relevance. I want to have
the expectation to experience afresh it’s power and to convey to others, not
the wonder of my words, but the unchanging wonder of God’s Word. It is available for us all when
we stop and look with fresh eyes.
Psalm 17 v 7
Meryl McKean loves writing devotionals and
poems and has had a few articles published over the years as well as using her
writing in her work. She wants her writing to be a tool which helps others draw
closer to God. She is married to Andy and lives in Bedford. Her day job as a
member of her church staff leadership team is full of challenges and
opportunities.
Thank you Meryl. An inspiring reminder of the wonder of watching young children. Our 3 year old granddaughter, Faith, makes an mmmm sound as she eats something she likes and has always done this from a new born. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosalie :)
DeleteBeautiful and so true. I see this in my granddaughter every time we visit. Thank you for this reminder, Meryl
ReplyDeleteYou're so right - it's incredible when they're so small and seeing so many things for the first time ever: things we've got used to seeing. What must it be like to see, say, a giraffe for the first time, or a puffer fish, or a daisy?
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Meryl! Congratulations for the new season God has given you. Take the opportunity like some of us have done and write poems on your grandson! Thank you for sharing the lovely moments. Blessings.
ReplyDelete'How easy it is for us to lose our sense of wonder as things become familiar' - so true. Yesterday my granddaughter - not quite two - spent a long time completely spellbound removing Smarties from a tube and putting them back! Out again and back in many times...honestly...only graduating to eating them many minutes later.
ReplyDelete