From Muck to Wonder

Celebrating Where We Were to Where We Are Now

When Will was four years old, we drove an hour away from our house to the Hoosier National Forestry in south-central Indiana. This area is beautifully wooded, hilly, and perfect for a young first-time hiker. I could tell Will was excited based on how much he talked during the hour it took to drive there.

When I pulled into the parking area, Will was already out of his seat and standing by the car in wild excitement. He put on his jacket and asked me to help him with his backpack. I helped him and then put on mine. We were off. It was a cool spring evening, not yet sunset, and everything was exploding to life around us. It was perfect. Will knew it as well.

Every thirty seconds for the next hour (and this is no exaggeration), Will yelled out, “For Heaven’s sake! This is soooo awesome! For Heaven’s sake! This is soooo awesome!”

That may have been one of the greatest moments of my life. Sure, I was glad Will was off to a great start. But it was so much more than that. In him, I saw who I longed to be as an adult. Even though we walked through miles of thick mud and thorn bushes that lined the trails, Will just kept shouting with joy about his awesome experience.

While I was preoccupied with the mud and thorn bushes, Will was taken by the wonder of it all.

When I started these weekly posts at the beginning of the year, I sensed that we, too, had become preoccupied with our own mud and thorns, that we had been slowly losing our sense of wonder and childlike exuberance.

My goal over the last six months has been for us to take steps together out of the muck and mire and into wonder. To become people who are more contemplative and who better care for our inner selves and others. And we are doing it. Together.

On this winding and unpredictable path of transformation, we have been able to quiet the critical voice and spend time with our wounds. We have found better daily rhythms and generative practices to cultivate kindness, love, forgiveness, healing, and peace. And we are learning that what begins in us can ultimately heal and strengthen our relationships and community.

I am deeply humbled and grateful for you joining me each week on this beautiful journey.

Question

1. As you think back over the last six months, from where you were to where you are now, what area of growth or transformation are you celebrating?

Peace,

Brandon