Wonder & Amazement

     During a recent trip to Kentucky, I was reminded of the gifts of wonder and amazement. That reminder came—as it often has in my adult life—from two five-year olds.
     The deliverers of this reminder, which came in two parts, are the twin grandchildren of longtime friends.
     Part one came as Bryce and I were admiring the vintage sports car her grandfather recently acquired. As I was commenting on the car’s beautiful color and pristine interior, Bryce called my attention to what she thought was the most amazing thing—windows you can lower and raise by cranking a handle.
     To Bryce, it was a thing of wonder. Even when I finally convinced her that, when I was her age, we used such handles on all car windows, Bryce’s amazement about her grandfather’s car windows was not diminished.

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     Part two of my reminder came via Bryce’s twin brother, Logan. For at least an hour, Logan and I pored over large maps of the United States and the world. We identified where Kentucky was on the U.S. map and where the United States was on the world map. We went state by state and then country by country. (I’m proud to note this Kentucky kid now can identify my home state.)
     When Logan’s dad suggested I might need a break, Logan looked at me and exclaimed, “But I want to keep learning!”
     And so, we kept going. Logan was amazed by how big Texas and Russia are. Alaska was an even greater source of wonder.
     I explained that while the world map appears flat, the earth isn’t. Logan asked, “But why does it look flat when I walk?” As we talked about his question, I asked why we don’t just float off what looks like a flat earth. Without hesitation, Logan shouted, “Gravity!”
     I am grateful for these reminders of the gifts of wonder and amazement. They invite me to pay attention to the ordinary things I encounter that can spark wonder. They encourage me to be curious and ask questions that help me keep learning and discovering reasons to be amazed.
     As the children and teens in our families, neighborhoods, and churches head back to school, I invite all of us to open ourselves to the gifts of wonder and amazement. And may we join my buddy Logan in a desire to keep learning.
                                                                                                                             KP
 May the God of Awe bless you with a profound sense of the sacred in your life. May you be overwhelmed by the power of God’s love and compassion. May your sense of awe free others to love and may you glimpse God in the wonder of each one you meet. May the God of Awe be with you.  ​– Maxine Shonk, Blessing Upon Blessing