For Day 3 of the February 2021 #Write28days challenge, the prompt word is learn. Does there come a time in life when we become unteachable? Or should we all be lifetime learners? In Proverbs we are told that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. God created us with imaginations and curiosity, and I think He meant for us to use them throughout our lives.
Come and see the wonders of God; his acts for humanity are awe-inspiring.
Psalm 66:5 CSB
Of course, age and illness can put limits on you, but we all can try to keep our sense of wonder. Take time to watch the expression of children as they make new discoveries. There is such a sense of excitement and joy.
LIFETIME LEARNERS BEGIN AS CHILDREN
Recently my 4 year old granddaughter was trying to find a little bouncing ball that she thought had gone behind the couch. The couch is not a heavy piece of furniture, so she pushed it aside and went behind it. Then she began pushing it more to reveal what might be lost beneath it.
Suddenly she stopped, got very excited and with a big grin on her face said, “Hey! I’m big! I just moved the couch!” She had such a sense of accomplishment as she realized what she had done. And she found the little ball. Then much joy and laughter ensued as it bounced high and rolled while she ran after it.
Her happiness was contagious and we had such a good time together. She is always curious, ever ready to learn something new. I want to be like that, too.
We’re never too old to stop and wonder and learn.
KEEPING A SENSE OF WONDER
Since we are still vacationing at the beach on the Gulf coast of Florida, it’s easy to keep a sense of wonder at the beautiful sunsets.
Our God is a magnificent artist, and we are created in His image, so in our small way we can be creative, too. I enjoy a wide range of creative activities like art journaling, drawing, painting, crocheting, and more.
Though 2020 was a year of hardships, it also held many good things. At the beginning of the year I was learning more about watercolor painting and enjoyed creating some of my own. It’s been a few weeks since I painted, but I still love it.
Crocheting is a craft I had dabbled in off and on for many years, but last year I began anew. I learned new types of stitches and began making more than just dishcloths or coasters. And I would be remiss if I did not mention Sati Glenn of Rows and Roses. With her encouragement and help I learned so much. The more I learned the more I enjoyed it.
LIFETIME LEARNERS ALSO NEED REST
Although we do need to keep our sense of wonder and be lifetime learners, we don’t always need to be productive. There are times for play, times for work and times for rest. God created us, not as machines to keep going, but with physical bodies that need a balance of activity and rest.
Our souls and minds also need rest, and what better way than to heed the words of our Savior and Lord:
Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 NASB
This is Day 3 of #write28days. Links for the rest of my posts in this challenge can be found HERE.
I learn something new every time I am with our 3 years old grandson Rowan. He is hilarious and cute. I’m glad we never stop learning.
Isn’t it amazing how much we can learn from our grandchildren? Seeing through the eyes of a child we can’t help but have a sense of wonder and awe. Blessings to you, Melissa! xo
I love your painting! I so enjoy learning new things. It is what keeps me young in spirit! Wonderful post!
Thanks so much! I agree with you – learning new things does keep us young in spirit. And I would add in my case that grandchildren keep you young, too. 🙂 Blessings to you!
“In Proverbs we are told that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. God created us with imaginations and curiosity, and I think He meant for us to use them throughout our lives.”
How amazing that a creative God pours his creativity into us. How incredible. 🙂
Amen, Deirdre! Amazing and incredible! Blessings to you!
Amen! I always appreciate your sense of wonder, Gayl. You help me to keep looking up to see the beauty that God brings into our days! Blessings to you at the beach this week! Xoxo
Thank you, dear Bettie. I love how we both encourage each other to look for the beauty in each day. Blessings and love to you! xoxo
Inspiring, Gayl! <3 Love your painting and projects…
Thank you so much, Bette! I’m glad you enjoyed my projects. Blessings and love to you! xo
I love that you’re learning all kinds of new skills, Gayl! Lifelong learning keeps us young 😊.
Thank you, Anita! I love that I’m learning new skills, too. It does keep us young. 🙂 Blessings to you! xo
This is a great reminder, “Although we do need to keep our sense of wonder and be lifetime learners, we don’t always need to be productive. There are times for play, times for work and times for rest. God created us, not as machines to keep going, but with physical bodies that need a balance of activity and rest.”
Thank you, Lisa. Yes, we need to be reminded often of this. Sometimes we just keep pushing through when we know we need a break, but I’m working on it! Blessings to you!
Your projects look great, Gayl. It is fun and inspiring, for the most part, building up our skills. I tell my horseback riding students to always be a learner, and keep ‘schooling’ the horse as well as yourself. However, lessons are always ended in fun, and a good grooming of the horses! A wise friend told me years ago, “If there is no laughter going on there isn’t much going on.” A merry heart does good like medicine. Prov 17:22
Thanks so much, Mitzy! Yes, it is fun to build our skills and learn new things. I love that verse in Proverbs. It’s so true. We need laughter as much as we need rest, I think. On our vacation meet up with family we have been laughing a lot and it really is good medicine! Blessings to you!