O LORD, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts.
~Psalm 92:5 NLT
The Wonder
“I saw Nanny take her teeth out,” our three-year-old grandson announced.
My wife and I stood dazed, not knowing how to respond. My wife’s mother had come to live with us a short time before, so none of the grandkids had seen her often of late or before when she lived forty-five minutes away. And because she was a step-nanny, they had seen her less than their blood-kin nanny, who lived next door to us.
But he didn’t stop with the announcement. A request followed: “Take mine out, Meme.”
Our toddler grandson didn’t understand the concept of removable teeth since none of the other nannies and pops had them. After all, if Nanny could remove hers, why couldn’t he?
I left the explaining to Meme. I’m not sure he understood her reasoning, but he never again asked us to remove his teeth.
Removing teeth might have been the most remarkable thing he had ever witnessed at his age. It doesn’t take much to entertain a small child—sometimes, not even an older one or even an adult. Parents buy children expensive toys—the latest fads or brands—only to witness them toss them aside to play with a pot from the kitchen cabinet. Or to make up some game of their own, like flipping a full water bottle to see if they can make it land on its bottom. Or balling up writing paper and tossing it into the trashcan. Imagine that, using their imagination. (As a middle school teacher, I’ve witnessed a great deal of imagination use.)
The Conclusion
I, too, often wonder at the wonder of it all—God’s creation, that is—and all the things he gives people the ability to make, develop, or improve on. Ours is a majestic world that fate or unguided evolution can’t explain. The Bible makes a simple yet profound statement: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
God’s wonders rise to the loftiest mountain, descend to the lowest ocean depth, and incorporate everything in between. Many psalms express the writer’s wonder over some aspect of God or his creation. We should share that awe and never lose our wonder over it all.
We don’t have to write a psalm in response, but we should always respond with worship, praise, awe, and sharing God’s story. God is worthy of all these things, and life is well-lived when we give them to him.
Think of ways you can appreciate and then share your wonder of God.
The wonder of God’s creation occasionally takes my breath away.
Thanks for reminding me. I don’t ever want creation to become common place for me!