“I wonder as I wander out under the sky why Jesus our Savior has come for to die for poor orn’ry people like you and like I; I wonder as I wander out under the sky.” John Jacob Niles
The Appalachian folksong, “I Wonder as I Wander,” has enchanted me since I was a young teenager. A Dominican sister who taught English once sang it at our high school assembly before Christmas break. Sr. Caitlin was a witty, wise-cracking young woman, full of mirth and practical jokes. When she stepped up to the microphone, no one expected the emotional rendition that emanated from her powerful voice and beautiful soul. She forever changed my perception of wonder that day.
I generally do not make resolutions for the new year anymore. In the olden days, I would take my three daughters to the beach and we would each write a list of prayer requests rather than resolutions. I would tuck the list into my bible until the following New Year’s Day. We were always filled with wonder when we opened the list again to see the soccer wins, aced tests, resolved squabbles with friends, and miraculous healings of sick dogs and cats. Amazingly, many prayers were answered, and it was a good lesson about trust in the abundance of grace.
Although we no longer participate in this exact ritual, (they are all mothers with children of their own) I still ruminate with wonder over the events of the past twelve months. This is easy because each year, I keep a daily planning calendar of events, comments on books I have read, quotes from friends, quirky words I have learned, and random thoughts about life. Scribbling down a few ideas each day anchors time and creates a treasure chest of subjects to write more about in my journal or blog. Besides filling me with wonder (as in awe), these events also make me ponder so many unanswered questions.
I wonder why some prayers get answered while others remain suspended. I wonder why human beings are so cruel to one another; why we do not share resources so everyone can have good food and clean water. I wonder why we want to fight over images of God, about who is and who is not in heaven; why we quibble about doctrines and words to creeds. I wonder why we allow ideologies and politics to rob us of our joy. The list goes on.
But then I also wonder over the beauty of nature, the perfection of a child’s face, the random acts of kindness that spill out of ordinary circumstances. I am awed when I think of the loving and supportive family and friends who have graced my life for decades; of the deep faith that sustained me in many dark nights and still strengthens my convictions. I am amazed that I have lived twenty-five years into the new millennium and can still feel transformed by so many wonderful things.
May your year be filled with awe and may you bask in the wonder of it all!
Seeking Wisdom 