The word “wonder” came to my
mind for this post. I mulled it over and determined to present more than a mere
dictionary definition of wonder.
Wonder is everywhere.
Throughout life, there are people, times, events, scenes, etc. used to spark
life in our sense of wonder. These experiences take our breath away, fill us
with praise, and drive us to improve our craft as writers.
This sense of wonder is a
curiosity about something we want to nurture. There are sources of inspiration
in life that fill me with wonder. This inspiration is what I always hope to
nurture through my writing. Please indulge me as I present ideas of how I see
wonder.
Wonder in Another’s World
One of my granddaughters was
born with multiple health challenges. Her name is Whitney. When she was two
years old, medical professionals concluded she lives “in her own world.” A
simple way to explain this is, not everyone she meets will form a close relationship
with her. She decides, in her own way, whom she will welcome into her world.
She allowed me into her world when she was an infant. This fills me with wonder
to this day.
My relationship with my
granddaughter is one of seeing wonder in the simple things in life. For
instance, Whitney can enjoy playing with her stuffed toys every day. She never
becomes tired of watching animation adventures on her iPad. She walks around
her bedroom with a photograph of my parents, whom she never met, and talks to
them in her simple language other people can’t understand. When she is outside,
she looks up at the sky with her hands raised, as if reaching up to heaven.
Whitney shows me wonder in another world! She has taught me to seek wonder in everyday life.
Wonder in Walks
The dike a few minutes from
where I live is a gateway to inspiration and word pictures for this writer. Sun
rays of summer fade to be replaced by an autumn overcast of misty clouds.
Within a few minutes on my walk, birds, such as finches, chickadees, and
thrushes, fly from trees and add colourful life to the sky. I welcome the
clouds and birds as I thank God for His creation.
I remember a walk on a beach
on Vancouver Island a few years ago. I loved the crunch sound the small pebbles
coating the beach made with every step. A sight I discovered piqued my sense of
wonder. Small, colourful flowers had pushed their way through the rocks, sand,
and pebbles. In this, I saw an illustration of tenacity, the value of never
giving up.
Through such experiences,
words in my head trip over each other as they begin to gather and anticipate
being sent into the world. They want to encourage readers to walk in wonder.
Walk along riverbanks and feel the cool autumn breeze as it floats across the
water and brushes one’s uncovered cheeks. Such experiences leave me to want
more.
Wonder in Our Words
Dear writer friends, never quit
on your world of wonder and words. Words you pray over and send into the world.
Like precious seeds of sweet-smelling flowers, scatter your words into the
landscape of the souls of your readers. Like a lovely flower poking its way
through sand and beach pebbles, persevere. Have faith your words, once settled
in the hearts of your readers, will grow as strong as oak trees and strengthen
the faith of people in need of hope.
A Question
My friends, what fills you
with a sense of wonder?
Alan lives in a small village called Deroche, British Columbia, with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He enjoys walking on the dike near his home with trees all around, where he finds inspiration for his writing. He occasionally writes articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. Alan is the new BC/Northern Regional Rep. for InScribe. His website is https://scarredjoy.ca.