Don't Lose the Wonder

          I’m always challenging myself to serve others and recently I’ve felt a passion to help young girls. I was a Girl Scout in elementary school and middle school, and I thought this would be a good area to serve. I now help lead a Daisy Troop. Daisies are Girl Scouts in Kindergarten and First Grade. Working with girls ages 6 and 7 has been energizing and refreshing. It’s a stark and humbling change from my business school presentations to CEOs—phew those little girls have little time for nonsense! Is the subject engaging? What’s in it for them? But beyond brainstorming ways to quickly get lessons across, I’ve enjoyed soaking up the girls’ pure joy. Seeing the girls get excited about patterned construction paper and flower stickers warms my heart. It’s a reminder to take joy in little things. It shouldn’t take expensive gadgets or lavish trips to excite us.

           “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.” (Psalm 9:1)
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          Commentary (Life Application Study Bible, NIV): Our inward attitude becomes outward expression. When we praise God, we help ourselves by expanding our awareness of who He is.

Me as a young girl, full of wonder and gums! :D

          Who is God to you? A big, scary judge that sits above? A magic genie? While I’m sure I’ll never be able to grasp the fullness that is the Creator of the universe, I know He is a good, forgiving, merciful God that desires an intimate relationship with all of us.

         “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever, he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103: 8-12)
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      When we reflect on God’s character and goodness, our perspectives are shifted, and we have so much to be grateful for. Each day when I say my morning prayers, I start with gratitude. Waking up with all my senses, in my right mind, with a safe, warm place to sleep are things I try not to take for granted. I’m curious if we shift our focus, will God restore our eyes to see wonders we may be missing in everyday life?