In Wonder of God

I am in chapter 5 of The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Last night, I read the rest of chapter 4, but before I finished the chapter, I told Chris that chapter 4 was my favorite chapter. Then, I started reading chapter 5, and I must admit, this is my favorite chapter so far.

It talks about the wonder of God. I have always been the type that finds the awe in God's beautiful handiwork, but this chapter goes even deeper into that.

God's love is everywhere. It is the sunrise and sunset, and in how He paints the sky with brilliant colors as the clouds are brushed across the sky. It is in the laughter of a child, in the simple hello and smile of someone that you do not know. It is in a day of peace, in a phone call, the sounds of a lightnighting storm, in a hug from a friend, etc. I could go on and on.

On page 94 and 95 Brennan Manning talks about how he had met a woman at a silent retreat that he had directed. During the retreat, he asked all woman (her life had been filled with service to the Lord) what grace desired from God and she wrote, "I want to experience the love of God." He told her that he wanted to know that too. He noticed that she went walking on the beach, which was not far from where they were staying, and as she walked barefoot and just let the cold water rush on her feet, a woman came up to her, hugged her and kissed her on the cheek and whispered, "I love you!" When she got back, she wrote him and said, "God answered our prayer." I just cried when I read this story. It was so precious! (I have cried a lot while reading this book and I am only in chapter 5)

How often do we ask God for something, but do not notice the answer because we are too busy with our day or lost in our stress to even see that God has answered our prayers.

I challenge you this week to open your eyes and ears and take in the beauty and splender of God. (I am going to do the same) Ask God for "wonder", and then sit back and see the miracles that take place before you.

This book has changed my outlook on life in such a huge way! Please, get a copy and read this book, you will not regret it.