One of my favorite Lenten/Advent songs is “I Wonder as I Wander,” which is basically a person thinking out loud of the awesome power in this tiny baby Jesus and the ways he is changing everything through love. R.J. Palacio’s Wonder is a novel turned film that highlights the strength of a boy with facial differences, a gift-filled “wonder” to his mom. It was partly inspired by Natalie Merchant’s song Wonder; here are some of the lyrics:

Doctors have come from distant cities
Just to see me
Stand over my bed
Disbelieving what they’re seeing

They say I must be one of the wonders
Of God’s own creation
And as far as they see they can offer
No explanation

Oou, I believe
Fate smiled and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She’ll make her way
She’ll make her way

This song has been around since 1995, and it struck me for its message of freedom to be, dream, lean in to who you really are. Embrace who you are internally and externally.

A Summer of Wonder

This summer, 17 Holmeswoodians will embark on a mission trip to New York City, partnering with Metro Baptist Church’s Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries. While in the city, the team will lead a Camp for young New Yorkers, and the camp theme is “Wonderland.” While it’s obvious that we’ll explore this giant city in wonder and even see the Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park, WONDER is so much greater than that.

This process of planning has invited me into explore why WONDERING is so important in our own lives. When we are in a space to wonder, we have the freedom and safety to let our minds free. We can dream, explore, think up ideas that we don’t usually have the space or time to allow to flourish. Truly living a life of wonder is so important for our well-being and embrace of wholeness in God’s Creation. With the right recipe of feeling accepted and supported by others, we are able to truly wonder about this grand life. We can explore how to make it more meaningful and embrace work to improving it for all. The possibilities are endless!

Do you ever wonder?

How do you wonder these days? Do you sit back in a lawn chair outside and look up at the clouds by day or the stars by night? Do you journal and take deep breaths as you challenge your mind, or even sit in amusement during a basketball game (like tonight’s w/KU)? Do you read or play music to extend your heart’s dreams to new places? Is wondering just another way to be curious? Is it ever a waste of time and energy??

“Whereas curiosity sparks inquiry, wonder is an experience,” says author Anders Schinkel, as part of the Wiley Report. “Curiosity familiarizes the novel and wonder de-familiarizes the known. Educationally speaking, wonder is critical for making us aware of the limits of our understanding. Wonder implies a drive to know meaning, but Schinkel also describes how deep wonder often translates into a love of the world and a sense of awe,” the report states.

With wonder comes a desire to understand the world and ask questions. 

And does that not relate to our relationship with God? By the mere act of Creation and multiple scenes in the Bible of Jesus discussing, teaching, asking questions…we are encouraged by God to wonder! It is crucial for our understanding of the world and of each other, and it is so good for our souls. May you spend some time this week wondering more!

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Coming Up:

Sunday, April 10: Palm Sunday and Reopening of Renovated Sanctuary! 

• This will be a wonderful day of celebration and a new beginning…be sure to join!

• NYC Mission Team will be selling Chris Cakes Pancake Mix before and after Worship April 10, 17, 24; in addition, an all-church Brunch provided by Chris Cakes (so you can sample the pancakes!) will be offered after Worship (Free).

Saturday, April 16: Easter Egg Hunt from 2:00-3:00 pm.

• Ages 0-12 invited; youth are welcome

to help hide eggs (at 1:30 pm)

Sunday, April 17: Easter Sunday – Jesus is Risen!

Join us for a beautiful morning and two offerings for Worship:

• 7:00 am Sunrise service at Mt. Moriah (on Holmes) – next to the mausoleum

• 10:15 am Easter Worship at Holmeswood (in the sanctuary!) – this will be a joy-filled, flower-laden time to rejoice with our Hallelujahs!
• BFGs at 9:00 am

Hope you are having a Monday full of wonder!

~Laurel