W is for Writing, Wisdom and Wonder

A number of years ago, when I was a new college graduate, starting a new career, and already missing being in school (I’m weird like that), I took my first class in Wisdom Literature (covering Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes in the Bible).  One of the class requirements was to keep a wisdom journal.  Another was to memorize a set number of proverbs.  I often combined the two by meditating in my wisdom journal on how I saw proverbs played out in or applicable to my life.  That journal serves as a testimony to me of some parts of life from that time period.

One proverb that I opted to memorize vividly stands out to me: “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9)… Similarly, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21)  Twelve years later… I am still struggling to learn the truth of those in my life.  They are so much easier to quote than to remember when life doesn’t turn out as (I) planned.  My course may not be God’s course… or even if it is, he may be placing steps in my life to get to my overall goal… even when I can’t see how that path will get me to where I want to be.  And yet, even the times I chose not to validate in writing led me to where I am today — a relatively good place.  A place where I am seeking to find understanding and glean wisdom from past and present experiences.  A place where I am trying to live in the moment and be satisfied with the here-and-now instead of always looking to the past and the future.

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Having a four year old around makes living in the moment easier.  I love looking at the world through the eyes of a preschooler.  Sticks become “worm seesaws”, a rose in bloom is a cause to celebrate, dandelions are precious treasures and symbols of love.  Frogs are cherished and named.  Sometimes I feel that, as adults, we are chastised for that sense of wonder at creation.  And yet, looking at this world fills me with wonder.  Sunrises (not that I see many of those!), sunsets, ocean waves, green trees. autumn leaves — what an amazing world we live in!  God, help me to remember on those discouraging days just how much wonder is in the world.

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Writing is often my way to sort through life… search for wisdom… and capture the wonder.  And I often feel that writing validates that I had a certain experience (even though I intellectually know that I don’t have to write something down for it to have happened).  Not sure if that makes sense outside of my head…

Leaving you with a classic song to celebrate the wonder of our world:

And a poem from e.e. cummings as well:

i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday;this is the birth
day of life and love and wings;and of the gay
great happening ilimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any – lifted from the no
of all nothing – human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)