Welcome to Pushing Pause! A bi-weekly newsletter offering you an invitation to push pause and explore faith, rest, and beauty in the every day moments of life. Sign up below to have this newsletter delivered to your inbox.
In the last issue I shared about creating space for wonder and how I was practicing a summer of wonder for myself. As I’ve been intentional about keeping this posture bent towards wonder I began thinking about the idea of holy wonder. I don’t believe in drawing lines in our lives of what is sacred and what isn’t but instead that every moment holds the opportunity for us to bear witness to God’s presence in a sacred way. I’ve felt the loving presence of the Divine when I’m cuddling my kids on the couch even more than when I’ve stood in the middle of an ancient cathedral. Jesus has been near to me in a quiet walk in the woods just as much as in a loud worship service. That’s all to say, each day holds an invitation for us to experience the ever-present love of God and that is a holy wonder.
Perhaps holy wonder is that sense of nearness to God that can’t be explained but only felt. It’s a deep knowing you’re not alone and that you are held in love. Holy wonder might be experienced in having peace in the midst of doubts and questions. Holy wonder might be found in the pages of scripture. It might come in the form of a changed mind and a new perspective. It might come while you’re praying on your knees or bent over the garden bed. The spark of wonder might come in the kindness of a stranger or our own failure. Holy wonder is wild and untamed and not something we can control. We can’t manufacture it or manipulate it, but we can put ourselves in a posture of openness to stay curious with wonder.
This season what would it look like for you to embrace a holy wonder? Would it look like letting yourself ask the hard questions you’ve been sweeping under the rug? Trying a new to you spiritual practice? Opening the pages of scripture? Or maybe even laying down deeply held practices that no longer fit and feel like a burden? To wonder is to stay curious so perhaps we can open ourselves more fully to be present to holy wonder this summer and let ourselves be delighted or surprised at what arrives. I believe that God delights in our wonder and in meeting us there.
Breath Prayers for Holy Wonder
Breathe in: God of all moments
Breathe out: Keep me open to you here now
Breathe in: God of wonder
Breathe out: Meet me in my questions and doubts
Breathe in: Giver of all good things
Breathe out: Give me the gift of holy wonder to delight in you
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I’ll be taking the month of July off from sending issues of Pushing Pause. I pray this season is one of wonder for you. Thanks for reading! - Lindsay