Rediscover Wonder: Paris Revisited

by Michelle Nagle

July 2010

How I spent the summer of 2007 twirling with a 10 year-old in Paris and rediscovering wonder!

¨Twirl!¨she gleefully called out as we made our way down the Champs-Elysées. Raising our joined hands above my head, I spun around, careful not to knock down any innocent pedestrians in our path. We laughed in delight at the sheer silliness of our antics.

It was day 24 of 32 in Paris, where I was spending the summer as a nanny for the 10 year old daughter of a former professor. Bianca and I connected immediately, exploring the city together and making memories every step along the way. If you were in Paris this summer, you just may have seen us – blowing bubbles by the Eiffel Tower, singing songs outside the Louvre, building sandcastles along the Seine, or…twirling at the Arc de Triomphe!

The trip was my first to Europe, while Bianca has been to Paris every summer since she was born. Since some of the novelty had worn off, I hoped to help her see Paris with a new sense of wonder. I pointed out architectural detail, interesting designs, discovered places she had never been, and savoured quiet moments to read in gardens around the city. It wasn’t long before the twirling began!

Just as the novelty and excitement of Paris had begun to wear off for Bianca, so we can lose our wonder in our journey with God. We understand the privilege of knowing Him, but our sense of amazement can wane when we lose our attitude of expectancy. Too often we become comfortable in our comfort and have no interest in budging. We have our time with God, check it off our to-do list, and move on with our day. We develop a 'been there, done that' attitude.

But ladies!  The Christian life is not meant to be lived on ‘spiritual highs’ or blasé indifference, but by growing in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Growth is not passive, it requires active pursuit. The move to rediscover wonder in the everyday is a purposeful direction towards God. It is the choice to refuse mediocrity and dive into the depths of joy. God is pursuing you – are you pursuing Him?

Rediscover Wonder
1. Walk in the Word
Spend more time reading and reflecting on God’s Word, whether 10 verses, 10 minutes, or 10 chapters. Memorize a verse a month, a week, or a day. Don't allow discouragement to stop you from starting somewhere, even if it seems daunting right now. Purpose to grow in the time you spend with Him, and ask Him to open your eyes to what He wants to show you.

2. Mentor / Accountability Partner
This isn’t the last time you’ll hear me recommend this! A mentor or accountability partner is a fantastic way to grow alongside a fellow sister in Christ, as you encourage, challenge, and allow God to guide you. Meet often to pray and share your lives with each other. Looking for a place to start? Pick up Katie Brazelton’s book, ‘Conversations on Purpose’, a 10 session guide that will provide structure, fun, and vulnerability for your times together.

3. Get outdoors
Take a walk and talk to God as you go. For all you power walkers, slow the pace this time and ask God to show you the beauty of His creation to renew your awe in Him. You never know the surprises He may bring your way!

4. Attitude of Thankfulness
Praise God for whatever season of life you are in right now. Whether trying or triumphant, give thanks. Choose to praise Him through the pain, and thank Him that He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

5. Bloom Where You are Planted
Ask God to provide opportunities to serve Him and share His love exactly where He has you. While I look forward to, Lord-willing, being a wife and mother one day, being single at this point in my life allowed God to bless me with the freedom to enjoy a summer in Paris to show His love to Bianca and her parents!

6. Twirl!
Children have no problem being filled with awe, their tiny jaws dropped with wide eyes. Spend a day being a kid again, doing the things you most loved as a child or perhaps those things you didn’t have the chance to do! Blow bubbles, bake cookies with coloured icing, visit elderly friends, jump in puddles, run through sprinklers.

Imagine a new beginning starting today, as you step out of mediocrity towards a life filled with joy and wonder in our awesome God.  Let your inhibitions go…twirl!

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Editor's Note: After spending time in Paris, France this summer, I wanted to share this story again to revisit the wonder of my first trip to the city three years ago in 2007.