Signs and Wonders

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Then, keep reading.

The temperature pushed ninety outside, as Poco and I pulled into a slot near Chipotle, where we planned to lunch. Then, we both laughed at the sign, CAUTION ICE, nailed to the post in front of us. Are you kidding me? Iced anything was what we were after on this hot summer day. I guess the sign stays up year round, in case Winter shows up unannounced.

Can't be too careful these days, when words, colors, laws, even museums get weaponized for personal or political gain. Well, my Grand Poco and I laughed at the sign. Later I wondered if maybe I should have spilled some of the ice in my drink to validate their warning.

For sure some strange signs show up. Like yesterday as I pulled into the Toyota dealership for an oil change, I noticed a sign COLLISION CENTER to the left of the facility where my old Prius and I were headed. It kinda sounded friendly, like the place where you could bump into someone you hadn't seen in a while. Or maybe it was because I try to look for the upside these days. Too much down stuff going on. So the COLLISION CENTER looked like the place where I might run into an old friend.

So, while I waited for an oil change, I scrolled through phone messages. Sure enough Chris came through. "It's hilarious how they put jokes on the back of Oreo packages. Listen to this one...Serving Size: 2 cookies."

Well, much to my frustration, the oil change took more than 4 hours and over $1000 dollars. I wonder if mechanics get a percentage for finding stuff? Of course, my car is fifteen years old, so something's bound to need more than oil, duct tape or prayer. For me, too.

However, the oil change came with an upside. Since the job was taking longer than estimated, the service representative, offered me a "free" lunch at Toyota's cafe, while I waited for them to fix whatever was needed, other than an oil change. So I enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich with chips, a drink and some Oreo cookies. They came in a package of two. Like they knew I might need a joke, or an imposed limit, while I waited.

So, enough about signs, Oreos and oil changes. Where does the WONDER part of the title come in? Well, for me, that's where God shows up most often. Come to think about it, in all the years I've been coming to the Toyota dealership, they never treated me to lunch. But this time, they did. So I can either wonder what they're up to or to receive and enjoy it as a wonder-full gift. I opted for door #2.

Stuff happens in this world. Bad stuff. But so does good stuff. Staying open to mystery and wonder, helps us become quicker to catch sight of the good, the better angels in others. And in ourselves. It helps to look up or about, more than down. It doesn't mean we should ignore what's wrong. That would be wrong. But it's unhealthy and unproductive to allow these chaotic times to drag us down into a pit of anger, confusion and fear. And get stuck there. Or maybe even worse, become immune to it all.

So, what about becoming less anxious, more hope-full? Less woebegone, more wonder-full? Well, sometimes it helps me to look at others who had hard stuff to deal with, like Helen Keller. She said, "Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content." Sounds like Saint Paul in Philippians 4:11, "I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation..."(NLT)

Frankly, I need help in this area, especially when it seems that lies, mean-spiritedness and chaos are winning. Some stuff gets me going in the opposite direction of contentment. But I take a massive dose of hope from Paul writing that it took time for him, too. "I have learned..." Even though I'm old and more patient that I used to be, I still find waiting hard. Like waiting in a doctor's office, or at the Toyota service center, even if they serve lunch.

Harder stuff, however, is remaining hopeful, while waiting. Like waiting for results of a lab report for a friend. Tougher still is to wait for a prodigal to return, for a relationship to mend, a situation to change . But miracles happen. And it helps to keep an eye out for something wonder-full to show up. Abraham Joshua Heschel urged us to "Live life in radical amazement." And Albert Einstein said,"He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe is as good as dead, his eyes are closed."

So to wonder is to dare to stay curious, to ask questions, to be content to not have answers for everything, but refuse to stop seeking, listening and learning. Seeking the good for others, and seeking justice and pursuing peace. But not at any price. And to keep praying and trusting. God is wide awake and cares, even when nothing seems to be changing.

Kids are naturally good at wondering. But when they're quiet, sometimes we wonder what they're up to. But, we need to let and encourage them to be still, stare off into space, daydream, wonder and noodle on life in and around them. (So hide their phones, electronic games and limit TV, sometimes! A good book is a wise way to stir imagination and wonder.) Dr. Seuss wrote, "Think left, think right. Think low, think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try."

So don't let the signs of the times lead you astray or plunge you into a pit. Look up, in and around. Think. Wonder. Love anyhow. And keep listening and looking for laughter. Then share it.

As for me, I knew I'd need a laugh today. So I saved my two Oreos. Time for a good laugh.

Or two.

Oh, and if you don't have two Oreos, Chris sent me a picture of this sign outside a church: "Pls do not leave your purse, watch, handbag, mobile phone, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend unattended. Others may think it's an answer to their prayers. Thank you."

Well, if you're still reading, thank you. I wonder if I should've posted a sign: CAUTION WORDY.