“The beginning of awe is wonder, and the beginning of wisdom is awe.” —Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
• • •
Do you know those moments in life that suddenly take your breath away? Moments when time slows, and you’re overcome with awe, gratitude, and love?
This morning, as I went through my usual routine—letting the dogs out, making coffee, preparing breakfast—I glanced out the window and saw something so ordinary yet extraordinary that it stopped me in my tracks. My golden retriever, Harper, tail wagging and face grinning, was trotting down the driveway, her joy radiating against the stark beauty of the bare winter trees and the blue sky. She had just finished her morning patrol of our 10-acre homestead. She was coming home to report that all was well.
I confess, I love this dog more than is reasonable. It was the combination of my love for her and my joy in seeing her joy that caught me. But for just a moment, time felt suspended. The simplicity of it all—the quiet morning, the crisp air, Harper’s uncontainable happiness—washed over me. I felt the kind of awe that brings tears, the kind that makes you whisper, Thank you.
Moments like these remind us that life is sacred, even in its most ordinary rhythms. Philosopher and theologian Howard Thurman once wrote, “Whatever may be the tensions and the stresses of a particular day, there is always lurking close at hand the trailing beauty of forgotten joy or unremembered peace.” Awe opens us to that trailing beauty—to the presence of Sacred Love woven into the fabric of the everyday.
So much in our world can feel chaotic and uncertain, but awe has a way of re-centering us. It reminds us that beauty is still here, joy is still possible, and God’s presence can be found in the smallest, most unexpected places.
Perhaps this is why so many spiritual traditions speak of wonder as the gateway to transformation. When we pause long enough to notice life’s beauty, we make space for God to move. Awe softens our hearts, expands our spirits, and reminds us that life is both fragile and extraordinary.
As we move through our days, may we not rush past these holy moments. May we let them stop us, surprise us, and remind us of the gift of being alive.
We are in this together,
Cameron
PS - I didn’t get a picture of Harper this morning in the scene described above, but I have included one of her trying to be helpful to me in the garden. Such a silly dog…and spiritual teacher.
Reflection Questions
When was the last time you felt awe? What did it teach you?
How can you cultivate more moments of wonder in your daily routine?
What ordinary beauty around you might you be overlooking?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Awe and Gratitude
God of Wonder,
You scatter beauty across the earth—
In the rising sun, the bare trees, the joyful dog running free.
You meet us in ordinary moments
And fill them with extraordinary grace.
Help us to slow down,
To notice the gifts You’ve placed in front of us.
Open our eyes to wonder,
Soften our hearts with gratitude,
And remind us that You are present in it all.
May awe awaken us to the sacredness of life,
And may we live each day with reverence and joy.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Cultivating Awe
Today, set an intention to pause and notice the beauty around you.
Begin by stepping outside or looking out a window. Breathe deeply and let your senses guide you. What do you see? The shape of a tree, the color of the sky, the flight of a bird? What do you hear? The wind, a song, or the quiet?
Let yourself linger in that moment. Offer a silent prayer of gratitude for the beauty and wonder that surrounds you.
Then, throughout the week, try to catch more of these moments—a smile, a shared laugh, a meal with loved ones, or the softness of morning light. Keep a small journal to record these glimpses of awe, letting them remind you that the sacred is always near, waiting to be seen.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
January 9, 2025, 12pm ET - What Does the TikTok Ban Mean for Churches, Faith Leaders, and Digital Ministry? Register here.
January 12, 2025, 3-4:30pm ET - Join me for a FREE conversation on “Progressive Islam – Universal Values vs. the Politics of Human Rights – What’s the Difference Between a Progressive Muslim and Other Muslims?” with Ani Zonneveld. Register here.
February 6, 7-8pm ET - Join my conversation “Mindful Healing: Tools For Inner Balance and Wellbeing” with Rev. Dr. Isa Gucciardi. Register here.
February 11, 2025 - Diana Butler Bass and I will be geeking out together in an online event about the state of the world (post-inauguration). We are still putting the details together. For now, mark your calendars.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more.
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Mark your calendars for now. More info is coming.
Recently, I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
i resonate
my dog(s) have long been spiritual mentors; it's like G-d reminds me through them..