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Topic: Mountains (09/20/04)
TITLE: Majesty through the eyes of a child By Karen Treharne 09/27/04 |
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Mountains are unchanging. Their elevation makes them natural places for observation and admiration. They represent God's divine power, a master image of the Bible. One could easily argue that they are one of the wonders of the universe.
When my oldest son was seven, his second-grade teacher gave the students in his class an assignment to list what they thought were the Seven Wonders of the World. They were to discuss it with their parents and return with a list of choices that were to be voted on in class the next day.
We did a little research and talked about the many unique and splendid creations in the world, where they could be found, and why they were considered special. We discussed how God orchestrated the many "wonders" for our benefit. After we were done, Chris retired to his room to decide what he thought were the best.
The next day after school, I picked him up as usual, only today he was excitedly waving a paper at me. "Look Mom, at what Mrs. Sanderson wrote on my paper." He was smiling broadly and when he finally quieted down, I was able to read the bold red words, "Well done Chris. You are indeed one of God's wonders, and a blessing to our class". I didn't have time to read any more.
"Oh, sweeheart, how nice of Mrs. Sanderson. I have to hurry to the grocery store right now, but when we get home I'll look at your paper more closely."
He had asked me not to read it last night because it was kind of a "secret". I had wondered at the time if he might have thought that his list wasn't very good, but I didn't say anything.
When the groceries were put away Chris and I sat at the table, but before showing me his paper, he showed me the one that his teacher had sent home with the ones that had received the most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall
"These are all good ones, Chris. Now show me your list."
I sat looking at the words he'd written, barely breathing. Finally, I found my voice and asked him, "How did you come up with these choices, honey?"
"Well, last night I couldn't make up my mind because there were so many to pick from, so I prayed to God to help me and these were the ones He gave me." He looked perplexed for a moment, and then continued. "The only thing is Mom, even though my teacher seemed to like what I wrote, when I read them out loud nobody in class said a word, so I thought they didn't like it. Isn't that funny, Mom?"
I looked again at the paper in my hands and reread the words he had written:
1. To see
2. To hear
3. To touch
4. To taste
5. To feel
6. To laugh
7. To love
The tears in my eyes testified to the pride I was feeling. With all the grandeur in the world, my son had chosen the most precious things in life that God has given us. The simple and ordinary things that we take for granted, but that are truly wondrous. The ones that cannot be built by hand or bought by man.
I was surprised to realize that even the majestic mountains seemed insignificant compared to these wonders that were seen through the eyes of my child.