A former piano student of mine, David Delagardelle posted a link about loss of wonder in the digital age which caused me to think about that a lot yesterday as I did things around the house. Perhaps that’s been an angel whisper in my ear that has led me to post things on Facebook about the natural world (flowers, gardens, animals, landscapes), great art (music, architecture, paintings, literature); and the joy of people young and old—family, friends, and others—their discoveries, physical achievements [go U.S. women’s soccer team!], inventions, struggles, thoughts, ideas, daily doings, celebrations and more.
Have you ever wondered if people seem to delight so much in technology—which I celebrate and enjoy too—that wonder over things like I mention above gets minimized, stale, or lost? There have always been people who have held out this message and called for others to pay attention, even prior to the industrial revolution. Libraries and museums are filled with their legacies, but the legacy lives also in the lives of people who were weaned on Things That Matter by faithful parents, family, teachers, friends neighbors, and strangers who delighted in the world and passed that delight on to the next generation. I am thankful for all on FB who stimulate me to wonder by such a great wealth and variety of posts.
The snake in the garden is always trying to persuade the sons and daughters of Adam that the weeds are overwhelming, or the sweat is too much, or the drought is going to kill us all. This incessant drumbeat of doom wants to drown out, choke out, and wipe out the hope, love, and beauty that are all around as imprints of a loving and good Creator God.
I hope all who read this note will feel renewed today to put their fingers in their ears to snakish messages, and feel energized to enjoy this big, beautiful world, and celebrate it whenever and wherever, in times of plenty and times of drought, with people wherever ones rubs elbows with them—across the kitchen table, next door, in the next cubicle, or in this massive new digital universe. Let wonder fill the cracks and crannies of our worlds, exercising its magic until our spirits are so strong that Voldemort and his critter fizzle out in our minds, hearts, and lives. [Yes, I saw HP Part 2 with Larry. It was terrific!]
btw – David Delagardelle, mentioned at the beginning of this post is an up and coming young artist, swordsmith. He is fashioning swords for a new indie film “The Narrow Road.” It’s always a joy to see former students pursuing creative, artistic careers. He was a pretty good pianist at age 8 or 9, but what I remember most was his amazing smile, and his doodling while his sister had her lesson.
More about David
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