won·der

a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.

“Wow, we’re starting to fly! Woah!!!”

I was on a flight recently and overhead two little boys behind me. They had never flown before and couldn’t contain their excitement as the plane began to take off. Their wonder turned to joyous yells and shouts.

I have to be honest. My initial response was frustration. I was getting over a cold, and was exhausted from a whirlwind weekend and a busy week at work. I just wanted some peace and quiet. But I stopped that adult voice of disapproval (you know the one I’m talking about) and allowed myself to enjoy their delight. 

I felt a mixture of joy and sadness in the moment – joy in hearing their wonder, but also sadness for my tendencies toward frustration. But I decided to lean into the wonder and laughed as I overheard their joyous exclamations. I was 10 years old when I went on my first flight, a school trip to Sacramento – and as I type this I make the fun connection that my most recent flight was from Sacramento. I was nervous (because fear is usually my first response), but excited to fly. My stomach dropped as the flight took off – a sensation I still enjoy every time I fly – and I felt exhilarated to be air bound. I didn’t shout out in joy, but internally I was amazed at the modern wonders of flying.

As I grow older, it’s easy to lean into frustration and impatience and, let’s be honest, apathy. But I never want to lose that sense of wonder in the beauty that surrounds me. For we live in the world our God has created, and it is a wonder-filled place.

If you’re like me and want to grow in your sense of wonder, here are some spiritual practices to help enlarge your capacity for wonder.

Be Grateful

A sense of wonder can often be tied to a capacity for gratitude. When we have eyes to see the many gifts of God, there are many things to be in wonder about. What are you grateful for? You may want to write down a list or identify what you’re grateful for on a daily basis. This practice may not create instant wonder in you, but it can create over time a posture that has a keen eye  for God’s goodness.

Take a Walk

Go on a sensory walk. It doesn’t have to be a long walk, but give yourself at least five minutes to slowly walk. As you stroll, become a sensory detective. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you feel? What stands out to you? You may even want to express your wonderment as you notice something beautiful, new, unexpected, or inexplicable. This may be challenging (read: embarrassing), but lean into your uncomfortability and practice expressing your wonder.

Remember When

Think back to a moment when you experienced wonder. You may want to close your eyes as you recall this moment. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings as you engage in this memory. Does anything stand out to you as you remember this moment of wonder? Now, invite Jesus into this memory. What does he have to say at this experience of wonder? Spend some time talking with him about your sense of wonder (and maybe even his experience of wonder).