Celebrate Wonder

As Terry so eloquently shared with us last Friday, this time of year is about LOVE.  In truth, all of life – every day – is about the power of LOVE.

Right now, many of us are busy with the little “jobs” to make the holidays special.  Hanukkah started this week on Dec 12.  Christmas starts for many on Christmas Eve, the day we celebrate the birth of Christ.  Many other celebrations occur at this time of year, encouraging us to let our LIGHT shine up the World!

A tradition at this time of year seems to have developed that comes from the movie industry.  Many of the year’s best films come out in December.  I took time a few weeks ago to see the movie WONDER.  It is an uplifting, and incredibly moving tale taken from the book with the same name by R.J. Palacio.  I would suggest that the story develops a theme of LOVE and the choices we have whether we share love or withhold it.  August – known as Auggie – is a 5^th grade-age child who was born with facial differences that required many years of surgery in attempts to make his face more “normal.” Auggie has been home schooled by his mother up to this point in his life, so entering a school setting provides him with many new challenges.  He faced lack of friends, bullying, misunderstanding, self-doubt, and loneliness; but he found a way through the challenges to find himself experiencing strength, courage, joy and happiness.  The movie brought out a whole variety of feelings in me…  I was holding back tears soon after the movie began.   I knew I needed to pay attention to what I was feeling because I know feelings are the language of the soul.

Many children in the world have VERY difficult physical challenges, and parents can’t help asking the question, why would God allow serious illnesses and deformities if He is pure LOVE and all powerful?  Mystery is our constant companion.  However, mystery and unknowing is always challenging us to rethink our beliefs.  I don’t have all the answers, but here are clues.

Key to this discussion is our ability to expand our beliefs, see the bigger picture, and to focus on the Greater Reality…there is purpose to life.

“You are here to experience life in human form and to remember that this is not who you are eternally.  You are a spirit having a human experience.  You are here to grow as a spirit – the part that never ceases growing. That part of you is all Love.”

– IN THE SILENCE: 365 Days of Inspiration from Spirit

by Sanaya and Suzanne Giesemann    

Life is messy.  We are not perfect.  It is okay to be imperfect.  All of us are.  There are always opportunities.  You can always grow and make changes.  You are never finished…not at any age – or at death really.  There is more to learn in the next realm.  Try moving from your head to you heart.  What really matters is what are you feeling. Get out of your thoughts and into your feelings.  Try out new beliefs.

Let’s turn to a real-life story of a child who has multiple physical challenges since birth.  His name is Marshall Stewart Ball.  In our book The Light Gap: God’s Amazing Presence, chapter 7, page 129, I shared Marshall’s story.  He was born and still is unable to speak or walk.  In the book A Good Kiss: The Wisdom of a Listening Child, written by Marshall with the help of his mother.  Marshall’s mother writes, “Charlie and I were crushed by the idea that Marshall would not grow up to be the ideal son we had dreamed about during pregnancy.  Nevertheless, we poured ourselves into loving and nurturing this fragile, serene child.” At five-and-a-half Marshall tested out of the standardized test; he was on, at least, a third-grade level.  But what was so amazing was that as he learned to use his alphabet board by pointing with his head, he wrote:

“Altogether Lovely.  God is all altogether good and merciful because He is also bright and intelligent.  Seeing and feeling all that is true.  Clearly He feels, listens to all of our hearts and desires.  Clearly, he has everybody’s dreams in mind. I see a God Altogether Lovely.”

What an amazing child.  Marshall is now about 25 years old, and he counsels families and individuals.  His words speak in high intensity to those who would have ears to hear.  He has favorite words he uses.  He defines a kiss as “God’s thought.”  In Marshall’s words, “Marshall kisses the wounded to healing.  He kisses the strong to arrest busyness so that they can listen to what God is telling them.”

Good understanding stops turmoil.

Teach the children

That richness takes Love

That thoughts can teach Love.

Marshall loves children.

Marvelous thinking understands

Real joy is teaching Love.

Marshall loves you.

–by Marshall Stewart Ball

Turn to Wonder. I share my work with Courage and Renewal’s circle of trust retreats, created by Parker Palmer and a team of individuals.  This is a wonderful way of being.

“When the going gets rough, turn to wonder.  If you feel judgement, or defensive, ask yourself: I wonder what brought her to this belief? I wonder what he’s feeling right now? I wonder what my reaction teaches me about myself?”

May we all connect to the courage and strength within to bring compassion and love to all humans who are dealing with terrific challenges in life.  Listen for God’s guidance.