Issue 1334 – Wonder – January 3, 2024

Yesterday, we returned to Campbell Valley Regional Park. We  chose to return there for a specific purpose.

We had the joy of spending the day with our two granddaughters. Knowing the abundance of birds and squirrels that frequented the area and the perfect spots to catch a glimpse of them, we decided to share this enchanting world with the girls.

The rain drizzled down, coaxing most of the critters to seek shelter, so at first, our sightings were scarce. But as we crossed the listening bridge, a whole bustling universe of birds and squirrels greeted us.

The girls were spellbound as chickadees gracefully landed on their outstretched hands and squirrels darted across their boots. This park, so well-loved by many, hosted creatures quite accustomed to human presence, thanks to the regular feeding they received.

Imagination sparked in the girls’ eyes as they spotted what seemed like doors to fairy homes nestled in tree. They imagined sitting on spots that offered vistas of the river and marsh from lofty tree branches. They bestowed names upon the squirrels, found joy in observing the playful ducks, and marvelled at the evidence of beavers’ fresh cuttings.

Their sense of wonder overflowed, bubbling up like a magical elixir. It was a pure delight to witness and a privilege to share in.

Many, dare I say most, adults have shelved that childlike sense of wonder. We are so used to seeing things that we no longer stop actually to look at or listen to them. A hole in a tree is just that, a hole; it isn’t a gnome house or fairy home. The arched trees on a walkway aren’t a passage to some marvellous place but some trees that the snow bent one year.

We do the same in our Christian walk. We are familiar with being “saved,” so we no longer stop to marvel that God would choose to love and redeem us. We have carried our Bibles for so long that we have stopped wondering at the fact that God would reveal himself. 

Jesus loves the children. In part, it is because they still wonder and marvel at him. In part, it is because in the days Jesus walked the earth, children were disposable and powerless; they had no advocates.

At that time, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:1-6

As we grow in our journey to become more Christlike, we need to be careful not to lose our childlike faith and wonder. It is too easy to be complacent and to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to.

I pray that we open our eyes to see the majesty of Christ and are awed like little children simply trusting in His love.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone)

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