Isn’t it funny how children are amazed at the smallest things and as adults we take those simple things for granted? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could be intentional about living our lives in constant awe? What would the world be if we all lived with the awe of children?

Webster defines awe as “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.” If we’re living in awe, we can see the wonder of creation and respect the One that created it all. What a way to live!

Our children are always learning and questioning and wondering. They still have to be taught about the respect part of the equation. If they see us living a life of awe, then they will learn that behavior and be set for their own full life of wonder of the creation while respecting the Creator.

Children have the ability to see a wild flower while adults see a weed. Children see the world as their stage and at some point in our life we start to shrink back.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4)

The disciples were asking Jesus who the greatest in heaven was. The scripture doesn’t explain how we can see awe, but it does contribute to how we continuously see the value of children in scripture. Jesus didn’t come into the world as an adult, He came as a precious little infant. He understood the importance of learning as a child.

Unfortunately even though we’re born with wonder and learn lessons as children, we still fall and forget as we grow. It may be that we don’t so much forget, as we take for granted.

How, as adults and specifically parents, can we learn to see wonder in the world while teaching our children about respect and live in awe together?

Read scripture //

There’s no way more tangible to learn about how awesome of a God we serve than to read scripture. The One who spoke and things were created. Humans are fascinated by superheroes, but how fascinated would children be if we took the time to explain the magnitude of God and his capabilities?

Look at creation //

Laying in the grass while looking at the clouds or stars is a popular thing for us to do. It’s an easy way to spend 5-10 minutes. After talking to our children (and reminding ourselves) what God spoke into creation, the ability to be in awe is easy.

Learn about creation and how things work together //

Maybe not the easiest thing for small children to comprehend, but learning about how creation works together is amazing. Louie Giglio wrote a great devotional, Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science, and it’s a great way to hem together science and scripture. Those ‘why’ questions kids ask and you might be stumped on, it’s a good way to have some ideas for answers. But learning about how God made systems work together is a continuous way to recall how to see awe in the world.

Finding ways to live in awe comes easier when we work together. Adults understand the respect viewpoint and children live the viewpoint of wonder. Together we can learn how to do both. It won’t be easy and our worldly view will fight back, but the more we strive to live in awe the easier it will be.

Tangible Ways to See Awe with Your Children