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Looking out my bedroom window while listening to the song What a Wonderful World, I was in awe and wonder watching the huge bright harvest moon hanging in the clear night sky. The radiance of the moon was irresistible -- it lifted up my spirit and brought a smile to my lips. Yes, my friends from different parts of the world could see the very same moon at that moment. I went to bed that night with the beautiful image of my connectedness with God's creation: the moon, stars, clouds, skies. What an awesome and wonderful world to live in!
Reflecting back to summer 2004, the most vivid memory that stayed in my heart was that of the beautiful sunsets by the dock on Lake Simcoe in Invermara Court in Orillia (north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada). It was with great anticipation after supper that I grabbed a lawn chair and headed for the dock.
While waiting for the sunset, I feasted my senses in breathing in fresh air and feeling the warmth of the sun and the cool breeze. Listening to the sounds of the waves from the lake as well as the chirping of the birds, I was immersed in wonder and awe. One evening, I just realised that a mother duck with her ten baby ducklings were just right by my side "quacking" hard -- perhaps looking for food. My attention shifted to the mother duck, loving and protecting her babies, ensuring their safety from bigger creatures who are ready to swallow them alive. Was I not in awe and wonder as my heart felt God's presence extending love and joy! It was a priceless moment that would stay in my heart to remind me of how much God loves me. I said goodbye to the ducks as they swam along the shore to the other side of the lake.
Afterwards, I saw a reflection on Lake Simcoe. Looking up, it was the sun shining brightly trying to move down through the clouds. My heart felt a sense of awe as I became part of that beautiful movement of the earth around the sun. Every minute seemed so precious as I tried to remember how the sun looked at that moment. Five minutes later, I could no longer see the sun, but I stayed patiently. Ten minutes later, the most gorgeous skies were revealed before my eyes. The sunset's afterglow brought different colours in the clouds that formed like a canvass. Who could possibly have painted the skies with such vibrant colours so fast and so beautiful? Well, I could not hold it anymore. My spirit was bursting with joy in awe and wonder! All I could say was "Thank you God, you are so beautiful!" Gratitude filled my heart and my whole being felt that peace that can only come from God.
How attentive are you to God's little ways of saying "Look at me, am I not beautiful?" These little ways could be the sunrise, sunset, moon, stars, clouds, skies, butterflies, birds chirping, flowers blooming, buds on the trees, water on the lakes, oceans, rivers, streams, the rocks, fish, the trees. Why do we sometimes miss the opportunities of finding God's presence in our midst? When was the last time you saw a sunset or looked at the skies, the stars and moon? How about a new-born child? The children, the teenagers, the elderly, the person next to you - they are gifts from God - have you taken the time to look at them and marvel at how beautiful they are? Are you able to spend time with those who are helpless? They are also God's children and loved by God.
Which part of my reflection gave you a sense of awe and wonder? Why? Can you tell your own stories that would evoke awe and wonder?
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the sense of Awe and Wonder. This virtue of Christian living does not require a huge and dramatic event to be felt. We do not need to wait for a volcanic eruption, a tornado or hurricane, or even a tsunami. A sense of awe and wonder is a gift from God. Let us open our hearts, our eyes, our minds, and our whole being to God's presence in our lives.
God's beautiful creation is around us - all we need is to be mindful, attentive, and aware of the present moment. When walking, be attentive to the chirping of the birds and listen! Smell the flowers and savour their beauty, their shapes, colours. Hug a tree and feel the number of years endured during heavy snowfall in the winter, hot sun in the summer, heavy rains in the spring and strong winds in the fall. Next time you hear the song What a Wonderful World, sing along and savour the beauty around you.
I encourage you to spend time in silence with God and reflect more about your life -- the meaning of your relationship with God. Express your feelings to God and lift them up in your prayers. Where did you encounter God today? How did you respond? What images or symbols came to your mind as you reflected on your encounter with God? What comforted you? What challenges you?
Repeat these words throughout your day:
"God surprise me with your presence and grant me the grace to experience a sense of awe and wonder! Amen."
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Last updated: January 15, 2010 -- 02:23:04 pm