“Oh, it is wonderful that He should care for me, enough to die for me. Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!”  The feelings prompted by the hymn “I Stand All Amazed” [Charles H. Gabriel, 1856-1932] are incalculable for me.  

Christ is the perfect example of feeling, and giving, pure love.  Because of His love, we have the opportunity to progress, to shake off sins and imperfections, and to better love the rest of the human family.  Through the Savior, we learn how to see with more clear eyes, to hear with filtered ears, and – through the increasing loving thoughts and feelings that grow inside us – reach out to touch the lives of others with our own gifts of loving service. It’s wonderful, isn’t it, that we have such a selfless example?!

In everyday life, His perfect example sometimes falls to the wayside of our focused thoughts. We may struggle to stay in tune with our loving Lord.  Or maybe we get sidetracked by the glitter and glitz of the world… or even the legitimate natural beauties He has given us.  I imagine He offers us the beauties of nature as a reminder of His love, so that we can remember Him and live as He would have us live. 

I have already experienced wonderful things this morning: 

• The rain in our valley is beautiful.  To see it and hear it fall – it’s wonderful.
•  A friend shared a touching video via email with me. Tears ran down my cheeks as I watched a young autistic boy “bring it” during the last minutes of a basketball game. Not because of the baskets he made, but because of the loving response from his classmates.  Love in action. Wonderful! [This video clip is on Meridian’s home page today.]
•  I got a sweet laugh when my daughter shared a funny anecdote.  Laughter is wonderful.
• The tender smooch from my husband – an every morning ritual before he heads off to work – such a seemingly small thing, but beautiful and perfect in its routine, because it is a touch of love and caring. Wonderful.
• Staring at the beautiful mountains enlarges my heart, reminding me of the Love Evidence from our Father in Heaven, and his Son.  It is all ….  Wonderful!

It becomes easier to “always remember Him” because of all the perfectly loving evidence around me.  If I care to notice, and stay focused on the legitimately wonderful things that come from Him.

A short story is beautiful in its impact of what is really important in this wonderful world.  It is called “The Real Seven Wonders”.

The Real Seven Wonders

A group of students of Geography was studying the seven wonders of the world. At the end of the class they were asked to make a list of what they considered should really be the Seven Wonders of the World.

Despite some disagreements, the majority voted for the following: Egypt's Pyramids, Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Panama Canal, the Empire State Building, the Basilica of St. Peter, and  the Great Wall of Chinal.

During the voting, the teacher noted that a student remained quiet and had still not handed in her list. So he asked her if she had a problem in making her selection. The girl answered timidly,
"Yes, a little. I could not decide since there are some many wonders. "

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have written and perhaps we can help you."
The girl hesitated and then she read," I believe the Seven Wonders are: To be able to touch, taste, see, listen..."

Hesitating a little she continued," To be able to feel, laugh and... love."

Oh, to have the insight of that little girl!  The sooner we recognize the true wonders of this world, the sooner we have access to greater joy.  Even though our journey is strewn with ups and downs and a few brutal curves, there is wonder to enjoy. 
Because of our Savior, we have the template in learning how to feel, laugh, touch, taste, see, and listen in a more majestic and godly manner.  Because of Him, we can feel- and then share – love.  It is His love that makes for spiritual safety and offers us a glimpse of heaven.  Using the “seven wonders” that one little girl observed better qualifies us as true followers of Christ. We have access to them every day, all the time.
It is wonderful!