Young children have no sense of wonder. They bewilder well, but few things surprise them. All of it is new to young children, after all, and equally gratuitous. Their parents pause at the unnecessary beauty of an ice storm coating the trees; the children look for something to throw. The children who tape colorful fall leaves to the schoolroom windows and walls are humoring the teacher. The busy teacher halts on her walk to school and stoops to pick up fine bright leaves “to show the children”–but it is she, now in her sixties, who is increasingly stunned by the leaves, their brightness all so much trash that litters the gutter. ~Annie Dillard in An American Childhood
Annie gives us something a little different to contemplate. Usually we think of children awash in wonder, and we adults too busy to slow down and see. But maybe it takes time’s march to open our eyes and ears.
Still pondering this,
Sandy
“God! Let the cosmos praise your wonderful ways,
the choir of holy angels sing anthems to your faithful ways!
Search high and low, scan skies and land,
you’ll find nothing and no one quite like God.”
~Psalm 89:5-6 (MSG)
Welcome to Still Saturday where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and words. We’d love for you to join us. Get the details on the left, grab your favorite button, and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to gaze long and drink deep.
This is lovely! That passage from Psalms 89 is great. Hope you have a refreshing weekend, Sandy.
I loved how that verse in the Message went along with prying open the landscape… 🙂
Pondering with you. I see my children’s wonder at many things, perhaps without any effort at all. For me, I have to slow down. Thank you, Sandy for this quiet place to start my Saturdays.
I thought this was a really interesting statement, that young children have no sense of wonder. I do think I find things more stunning now that I’m older. Maybe it’s because I sense time is shorter? Or because I can better contemplate the wonder?
That is a very interesting quote indeed. I will be thinking on that for a while… beautiful thoughts here, Sandy. ((hugs))
Definitely think worthy…
you know, I had that same reaction as you did, Sandra. But then, I think of all the times I stand mesmorized by something, call the kids, and they say “Cool, mom.” and then run away. I think for somethings, it just takes time to grow in appreciation.
I’ve had that experience. 🙂
Interesting perspective. Leave it to Annie D. to turn the notion of a child’s wonder on its head.
Indeed. Maybe they live in such a state of wonder they’re never surprised by it, whereas wonder stuns us as we get age…
Sandra….this is beautiful, thank you for hosting this. I am sorry that I didn’t grab your wonderful button and paste it into my post. I didn’t have much time on the computer but I will try to get back and do that later. Lori
Hm. Is it sacrilege to disagree with Annie Dillard? I am remembering things. My granddaughter transfixed with the wonder of the full moon, looking for it when it wasn’t there (“Where’s the Moon?”)…the memory of my own delight at autumn maple leaves, their multicolor etchings delaying my arrival at home or school because I couldn’t keep from stopping to pluck up one after another to study and sink in the beauty…
I think children do have a great capacity for wonder, but they’re also full of energy that demands expression, and very distractible–and today there’s way too much to distract them. Maybe they need a grandmother like mine was, who used to point out the beauty of hills and sunsets and spring buds on trees… And maybe they need more chance to be quiet, too. Yes, I think, despite their need to bounce around like little lambs or rubber balls, children do need stillness, too.
Nope, not a sacrilege at all. I only posted this to make you think–because it made me think. You might be on to something, too, about the increased distractibility and children’s need for stillness. I want to be a grandmother like yours. 🙂
And I’m thinking distractibility is an adult problem, too… 😉
Yes, I definitely believe as adults, we appreciate things more. We tend to savor while the children tend to pounce! Have a lovely weekend!
I am agreeing with you, I will ponder this thought for awhile! I think perhaps there is truth in it, I notice the beauty of the earth and the wonder more and more as I age. Have a blessed Mother’s Day Sandra!
I like some of Annie’s writing, but after her diatribe against Mothers’ Day earlier this week I’m not taking much stock in her jaded opinions anymore. Besides, I’ve shared experiences of wonder with my children when I was young, and with my grandchildren now that I’m older and have no doubt in their ability to ‘stop and stare’ in appreciation of wondrous things. 🙂
Oh, I didn’t see that. I don’t remember my own children getting too excited over my wonder moments. The grandgirl–she’s a different story. 🙂
Hmm. I think there is some truth to that. A good thing to ponder.
“They bewilder well, but few things surprise them.”
Such wise, wise, words. Thank you, Sandy, for the wisdom, and for the hosting. xoxo
Oh, how I love Annie Dillard and have for so many years. An insight that is refreshing and brings newness to the way I look upon being a teacher, an older person, and those children I think are the ones who are wondering. It is really ME! This version of the psalm is wonderful too.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Annie Dillard speaks truth.
Annie makes us think. 🙂
Perhaps, as we age, we become more like the children we once were . . . I know this is true for me.
Blessings, Sandy!
I think for me, too, Martha. Though I do think my wonderings are more and deeper than I remember.
You’ve got me thinking – to us it is wonder – to children it just is – and becoming adult takes the “just is” away – and so we wonder. I love this – we have it all backwards, don’t we!
I dunno. Maybe. And maybe we squeeze wonder out of them because we’re too busy and distracted? But we find wonder again when we just. stop?
It’s such an interesting thought to ponder.
The beautiful details in the nature reminds us of God’s love for us & for his creation!
Nina
How can anyone not see Him in it?
Praise God that He has given us so many sources of wonder and awe at His creativity! Thanks for hosting & God bless!