Small Wonders grow up to be Big Wonders!!

Today, I had the pleasure of watching Lucas, one of my very best friend's baby.  I loved every minute...getting my baby fix!  It's been a few years since I've taken care of a baby!  My youngest, Zachary, is 4 and very much a big boy now.  As I sat with Lucas in my arms, I wondered what he was thinking.  As he made noises at me or smiled or squawked, just what is going on in his little mind.  Was he really intrigued by me...was he laughing at me...was it gas...I wonder!  It's funny to watch babies as they look around and explore and take it all in.  It is amazing to think about how their little minds function and how very cool God is for creating something so complex. 

As I sat and let my mind ponder such mysteries...or if you want to go ahead and call it as it is, you can say my A.D.D. kicked it :)...I thought of my own kids.  I thought about how even now, in all of their different life stages and ages, I still wonder what in the world is going on in their minds...what are they wondering?  Ya know, when they smile at you, and say "Yes Mom" or "Ok" (insert sarcastic tone here), what are they really thinking?  What do they really want to say to me?  Hmm...I wonder!  Of course, there are those times when they will just come out and say it...more so the teens who think they must speak their minds...but really, really?...not such a good idea...walk away very quickly before mom opens a can (yes i said it).  Seriously though, and sadly, they really don't share too much of their 'wonderment' out loud.  Which brings me back, again, to wondering!!  

Then there is my 9 year old who vocalizes her wonders, without much hesitation.  Still with that sweet innocence and the genuine need for understanding. The age where she wants to make sense of everything and know the why's behind it all.  You know?  Those things they wonder about and that we are not quite ready to visit?  As uncomfortable as I may be, most of the time, I am happy to oblige.  I know these kinds of discussions are important and I want to grab on to every 'learning' opportunity I can.  That is not to say, that sometimes 'because I said so', is quite enough...now go to your room!  :)  

My 4 year old...he is a character! He wonders about everything!  AND I love it.   He questions everything and even comes up with his own answers sometimes!  In his preschool class the question was asked of the students, "where do dreams come from?"  His answer, "dreams come from God and He is in our hearts." (by the way...way to preach it son!)  His innocent mind, wonders about the simple things...the sweet things some of us don't even think about anymore or perhaps have forgotten! 

As a wife & mother, I do a lot of my own wondering, mostly related to my kids.  My mind races with different levels of wonder...how will Zachary adapt to preschool and will he be prepared well enough for Kindergarten?  How well are we preparing Grace, spiritually and emotionally for junior high and beyond?  How hard do we push Meagan and McKayla in school and water polo?  Is it too much?  Are we doing enough for them?  Did we set a good enough foundation for our boys, now in college? Will they make the right decisions and hold fast to their faith?  And it goes on and on!  I know I am not alone...trust me...I know that it comes with motherhood.  But, I have to tell you...it's scary.  You have control for a minute...or so you think...then you don't!  Which brings me to my final thought...

The wonder that I have for my kids and my parenting and their future, etc...stops at The Cross!  That is not to say I don't wonder or I can't...but I can't allow myself to be consumed.  I have faith that the Lord is in control of it all.  No matter what I do...He ultimately calls the shots and the outcome is ALL HIM!  Do I worry?  YES!  Do I get scared?  Uh, YES!  Do I want to...so very badly...take things into my own hands and fix it?  For sure, YES!  The good news is, that I know a loving and faithful God that, when we give it to him, takes all of that 'wonder' and makes it all 'wonderful'! 

 ²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34