Designed For Wonder

Our older three children were involved in 4H when they were younger. These chicks were one of their animal projects. It was a cold and dreary November day when we went to pick them up. Arriving home, we brought them in to the kitchen and turned on a heat lamp to try to warm them up.


Elizabeth was 5 or 6 months old and she was completely captivated. I love this picture of her watching them, that look of wonder on her face has long been one of my favorite pictures. The joy we all felt seeing her fascination makes me think how our Father must smile when the Glory of His Creation causes us to have that look on our face. No wonder He reveals Himself in the smallest details of Nature. Recognizing Him through His Designs puts us in the proper relationship with Him: the created humbled before Creator.


And what an incredible tool that sense of wonder is as we seek to train up our children to bring Him Glory and to become life-long-learners. We don't have to artificially create an environment that will stir up their curiosity. There is no need. All we have to do is fan into flame what He already programmed into their spirits. And one of the best ways for our children to learn this is to catch it from us!


We should be modeling a genuine sense of wonder for our children, marveling at all aspects of the world around us. We need to observe and ask questions about what we see. We need to slow down enough to notice details. We can't live our lives in such a hurry that there is no time to wonder and delve deeply into the things around us. It takes an intentional shift in our scheduling and priorities. If we are driving down the road and we see something interesting, have I planned our schedule well enough that we have a few minutes to stop and observe? Or am I always in such a hurry, because of poor planning, that there is not time to stop without being late to whatever we are on our way to do? 


Another way to help encourage wonder is to carry a camera around with us when we are out and about, even on the way to the dentist. You just never know when an "amazing bird" might be perched on a fence post along the road.  It's also helpful to keep a pair of binoculars in the car. The kids love to be able to grab a pair to better identify something that's a little too far away.  A nature journal is a great way to record their finds and encourage them to be observant the next time you are out. Past successes encourage future effort. 


There are so many ways to nurture their curiosity and imagination. How do you fan the flames of wonder in your kids?