Wonder

By Aimee McNally, (San Jose)

Children have a built-in proclivity to wonder.  They wonder why the sky is blue and where God is.  They wonder how snakes shed their skin and how rainbows form.  Their world is chalk-full of wonder day in and day out. God created a child’s strong passion of wonder to stimulate curiosity and questioning about the world He created.  That strong passion helps children judge whether something is good or bad, helpful or dangerous, pleasurable or painful. Wonder eventually leads a child to understand truth from sin.

At what age does this tendency to wonder disappear?  Many will say a child’s desire to wonder is developmental and chalk-it-up to magical thinking that occurs between PreK-K.  However, I believe God designed the human brain to wonder from the time of childhood all the way through adulthood (Matthew 18:3-5). As adults, the brain desires bigger phenomena than what an intricate daisy flower can provide.  The challenge as an adult is to think as a child, be content and appreciate the small things, instead of always waiting for the grand gestures.

How can we cultivate our children’s sense of wonder?  (1) Be an example of someone who gets excited and shows passion towards the stars, nature, and human creations as evidence of God’s glory.  (2) Create a safe environment for wonder to happen so that feelings of delight will defeat natural fears. (3) Read the Bible together and talk about the miracles that happened and the wondrous coming kingdom of God.   

God told the people of Israel in I Chronicles 16:12 to, “Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth.”  These wonders, which are everyday miracles are impressive and great, especially for children. Let’s share our God-given ability to wonder with our children so that they will continue to appreciate His wonders.