Wonder

December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

That's my Choopie girl in the picture. She was nursing to sleep. She'll be three tomorrow (well, really today since it's past midnight). I have three children, and she's the youngest. She is, unquestionably, a child of light. She's happy, carefree, loving, and easygoing. She's affectionate, smart, and fun to be with, even when she's struggling because she's tired or hungry or wants to push the shopping cart and mamma won't let her.

Mothering her, as well as my other two babies (now 8 and 6! Still babies? Indeed!) cultivates my sense of wonder. I hug them and remember when they were first born. I smell them and wonder how come my babies have such a sweet scent, but other people's children don't? I hold them close and marvel at the miracle each one is, knowing that my body was but the vehicle for their creation. I didn't make skin cells, I didn't program an endocrine system, I didn't craft hair follicles to make spiral ringlets, and I didn't put tiny nails on fingers and toes. All I can do is support what God has created by giving them what they need: love, touch, wholesome food, a warm bed. I can also invest in their formation, and respect my role in helping each one to become a positive, loving contributor to society.

The real sense of wonder comes when I consider how much I love my children, how there is nothing I won't do for them and how it would be impossible for them to lose my love. I am awestruck not only because, before they arrived, I knew nothing of such love, but because now, I understand: this is how God loves me. He loves all of his children as I love mine, only on an unfathomable, infinite scale. I gaze upon my beautiful children and my faith is strengthened. My sense of wonder grows every day.