Tuesday, October 7, 2014

on being brought to wonder


There are times in life for all of us, I think, that we need to be reminded of what it means to wonder at something. To marvel at the world, at its pure beauty. There are times we need to see tangible reminders of God's divine presence.

And then there are times when we need to revisit the moments that restored us to wonder. Times when you've felt something in your heart shift, something crack a little, and anger leaks out a little. Anger at the unfairness of life, at people who are receiving gifts you so dearly long for but they don't appreciate at all. Anger at God for not making the world right as you would see it. Anger that you don't see why your idea of rightness isn't in line with what He is doing around you. 

And when that anger seeps out, it is time to seek wonder actively. It is time to look once again for beauty, for reminders that He is who He says He is. It is time to choose faith. Not just say faith, not just speak aloud words expressing trust in Him. It is time to actually make those words true.

When I am in that place, the place of not understanding why, of begging him to show me what the plan is, of crying in frustration for not knowing everything I feel I should, I seek wonder in nature. Grace hides in the millions of grains of sand on the beach, in the waves crashing to shore in their furious sounds and foamy rage at the earth blocking them from continuing, finally coming to rest peacefully at the tide mark. Finally slowing down and accepting that the earth will be there, and that it isn't something to be angry at, but to be savored, with a slow glide up the surface and back out again to where the waves live. 

Grace hides in the treasures those furious waves bring with them to shore. The shark's tooth that has traveled miles to find a resting place, a place to be reunited with the earth and slowly become part of the sands again. The tooth that has been drifting for so long has finally found a new home, a peaceful one.

Grace is in the trees changing color for autumn, shedding their leaves as the seasons change, knowing that they will be restored again in the spring. The trees do not fight grace; they accept it so willingly, so smoothly, confident that the spring will bring renewal.

I want faith like the waves, like the debris on the beach, like the branches of the trees. I want the peace in knowing that renewal is constant, grace is ever present, that He will always be who He says He is. I want faith as pure as nature. I want to be restored to wonder at Him, just as I am restored to wonder at the beauty of the world we live in.

Where do you go to find wonder when your heart is aching?


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18 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Girl thank you. You always recognize my heart in my words and for that I love you.

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    1. Thank you girl. I'm constantly thinking on this.

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  3. I am struggling with this in multiple areas of my life- work, faith, family,etc. I just journal everything that I am thinking and usually gain perspective.

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    1. It is so hard sometimes to remind yourself of the wonders. Journaling helps me some, but really the best for me is being in nature.

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  4. Beautiful words friends! Thank you so much for sharing your heart!

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  5. Gorgeous words!! Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us!
    :) Rebecca
    www.caravansonnet.com

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    1. Thank you! That's what I always set out to do here :)

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  6. This is absolutely beautiful! I love how you used the analogy of the changing leaves, with the trees accepting their fate without struggle. Sometimes it's so hard to see and feel that grace but man oh man, it's breathtaking when we stop in all the hustle and bustle and take it all in.

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    1. Thank you so much. I always see grace in action in the way nature responds to everything around it. There isn't a fight, ever, it just recognizes God's sovereignty and acts accordingly without ever protesting. And yet I constantly protest! I learn a lot from the trees!

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  7. You should totally listen to the song, 'Wonder' by Bethel :)

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  8. One of my husband's favorite books is "Recapture the Wonder" by Ravi Zacharias, all about this topic. Wonder--grace--all of it, is worth taking time to contemplate.

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    1. I'll have to check that one out! I've not heard of it yet but it sounds good!

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