Wonder!

Hello friends!  I hope that you have enjoyed these weeks of summer.  I have enjoyed a few weeks off to spend time with my family and escape into summer reading!  In July, a group of us gathered to share our thoughts about the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio.  I highly recommend this book, especially for those of you who have children or grandchildren.

As a mother of five, one thing that really got to me in the book is how one of the characters felt kind of invisible compared to her brother who was born with a facial abnormality.  It really made me wonder how I may neglect my own children as I tend to the needs of their siblings, not to mention my insatiable desire to serve God’s people.  I wonder how I make others feel when I am so focused on completing a task that I fail to acknowledge someone right in front of me.  It reminded me how vital it is to make every person feel loved and important every day!

Wonder was a beautiful reminder to me of unconditional love which is possible when we look beyond what the eye can see.  When we see people with our heart we are able to see what lies within which gives us a glimpse of the face of God, for he is imprinted in each of our hearts.  Wonder reminded me that

^“ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.   It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.   Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails”.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

I am sure that you have heard the saying, “you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.”  This is a saying that I have always taken to heart in regards to my own actions.  I strive to be my best self when meeting people for the first time, however, I do not always guard my words and actions.  I fail to be the face of Christ 24/7.  Anyone else feel that way?  R.J. Palacio really challenged me in Wonder to guard my words; to think before I speak.  I made the mistake again just yesterday by saying something that I should not have said and I looked around to see who may have heard me.  I hope that if anyone heard my less than nice comment that they give me a second chance to make a first impression!  I hope that I can remember to do the same for others.  What would the world be like if we could each remember that “love does not dishonor others.”  I wonder!

Shalom,

Tina