How to Awaken Amazement
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” Matt. 6:34, ESV.
Life is hard. If you look around, there’s not a thing created that hasn’t been worn down by this earth. Rocks erode, bugs eat plants–find a tree without leaves nibbled and frayed–those we love lose everything in floods and fires. Finally, all we love die.
What a joyful start to my ruminations.
However we go through pain, we have to rejoice in the moment we have. Clyde Kilby, an expert on authors such as Tolkien and C.S. Lewis said, “I shall try to live well just now because the only time that exists is now.”
How long do we have to live? I’m lucky–so far, a long time. But if today is my only day left, how shall I spend it?
I know what I do. It’s not what matters. I play games on my phone. I take naps. I mope because I’m bored. I ignore Biblical advice and lose precious time from my sojourn here on earth.
How do I awaken amazement?
- See the beauty of freshly fallen snow–bare branches made glorious.
- Savor the beauty of the night sky. Our galaxy is vast, but from our vantage, we can see other galaxies just as huge. Those blazing stars stud the sky in a splendor my writing or my glasswork can never match.
- Laugh at my puppy’s joy of living. I can moan that I have to go out in the cold and play–but joie de vivre is epitomized in a puppy’s romp or a baby’s laugh.
- Revel in the healing balm of friendship and love. The days are dreary and bitter cold, as I write. But I have a friend, ageing like I, who loves to walk. I can sit alone or bundle myself against snow and cold and walk. Together we, “The Biddy Committee,” solve the problems of the world and the poor architectural choices made in our neighborhood. Knowing her, I know how to help her–encourage here–mourn with her.
- Enjoy the scent of pine or wonder at the cerulean sky or make a snowman.
- See my husband’s eyes sparkling with love. Relish that: I eat. I breathe. I feel textures. I love.
Why do we love novels and movies?
Because unspeakable pain and problems occur. Despite them, solutions form. Life and characters are better because of the pain. Their world is painted in hope.
As Kilby says, “…this very day, some stroke is being added to the cosmic canvas that in due course I shall understand with joy as a stroke made by the architect who calls himself Alpha and Omega.”
Looking for a good read:
Two newlyweds know they’re going to live happily ever after. Then they come home from their honeymoon to their adult children.
You’ll laugh until you cry!
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Author Carol McClain
I love Matthew 6:34! My mother was a worrywart. I’m a lot like her, and after living with her worries, I try not to duplicate that particular habit of hers. My dad often said if Mom didn’t have something to worry about, she would invent something. With our house in huge disarray, and surrounded by situations much worse than mine, I needed to be reminded of that verse. Thanks!
I, too, worry way too much. I read a meme the other day. It read:
Have joy in the snow.
If you don’t,
You won’t have joy, but …
You’ll still have snow.
That’s been my mantra over the last few weeks.