The best 45 minutes of my day were spent examining caterpillars with Nathan. For whatever reason, the caterpillars were out in bulk on the sidewalk leading to our house. They were the cute kind--you know, the ones with long hair? Typically I would not say that I find caterpillars particularly captivating, but I stopped to point them out to Nathan because to him the world is novel and new! He laughed. He ran from caterpillar to caterpillar. He touched them and loved the way the scrunched up in reaction. What was amazing to me is how slowly his awe diminished. The excitement didn't fade after seeing just one caterpillar....or even after seeing ten caterpillars...his enthusiasm was continual. If the kingdom of heaven is like that, then I want in!
Wonder over God's creation comes naturally to children. Nathan is totally engulfed with the way leaves crunch when he steps on them, or the way birds hop away when they're chased. He loves touching the grass just to appreciate the texture. His enthusiasm is contagious. Children help us see the world in a totally new way...or perhaps, in the way we did as children...all over again. I'm left thinking that I don't praise God as well as this 18-month-old does. I think that watching Nathan as he explores what God has made is like a tiny glimpse into Eden. "And then Adam, Eve, and Nathan discovered their first insect. God," they say, "this has got to be some of Your best work yet! How many feet does this thing have? What should we call it? It is totally unlike anything else You've made. We know you already know this, but IT IS GOOD!" Then they proceed to name this thing a caterpillar and it is with joy that they reflect on another masterpiece.
If I could have an eighth of the joy that Nathan has when I reflect on God, I have to think that others would find my passion contagious. And I wonder how people view me now. Am I excited about God and enthusiastic about all that He has done? Today the woman who delivers our mail laughed as she watched Nathan looking at those caterpillars and asked me what he was 'so tickled with.' I said, "He just discovered caterpillars." I'm hoping that bystanders to my life will ask what I'm so tickled with. I'm also praying that the answer will be, "Rachel just keeps discovering more and more about Jesus." May the rocks and stones have no need to cry out on my account.
Wonder over God's creation comes naturally to children. Nathan is totally engulfed with the way leaves crunch when he steps on them, or the way birds hop away when they're chased. He loves touching the grass just to appreciate the texture. His enthusiasm is contagious. Children help us see the world in a totally new way...or perhaps, in the way we did as children...all over again. I'm left thinking that I don't praise God as well as this 18-month-old does. I think that watching Nathan as he explores what God has made is like a tiny glimpse into Eden. "And then Adam, Eve, and Nathan discovered their first insect. God," they say, "this has got to be some of Your best work yet! How many feet does this thing have? What should we call it? It is totally unlike anything else You've made. We know you already know this, but IT IS GOOD!" Then they proceed to name this thing a caterpillar and it is with joy that they reflect on another masterpiece.
If I could have an eighth of the joy that Nathan has when I reflect on God, I have to think that others would find my passion contagious. And I wonder how people view me now. Am I excited about God and enthusiastic about all that He has done? Today the woman who delivers our mail laughed as she watched Nathan looking at those caterpillars and asked me what he was 'so tickled with.' I said, "He just discovered caterpillars." I'm hoping that bystanders to my life will ask what I'm so tickled with. I'm also praying that the answer will be, "Rachel just keeps discovering more and more about Jesus." May the rocks and stones have no need to cry out on my account.
2 comments:
How delightful! I am in total agreement! We need to be more like children in our awe of creation -- you put it so beautifully, Rachel. I remember last summer playing with Emma and Chris and the anthills, watching the ants and talking about how busy they were, how strong, how tiny and perfect --we spent a very pleasant hour that way and it was exactly that feeling -- that reclaiming of Eden! What a great memory to share with Nathan some day -- and what did it cost you? Not a dime! Thanks again for writing and for your very helpful tips on blogging! Mom Jones
Amen! I want to be known for the same thing Rachel! I want other people to recognize the deepening, ever widening awe and love I have of our Savior and God. I just can't say it as well as you can. Thank you Rachel for all you write! I love to read it! Oh, and I love the picture of the catapillar on his arm!
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