Reverence and Wonder: Nurturing the Sacred in Childhood and Beyond
Reclaiming Wonder: The Forgotten Language of Childhood
There's something profound about the way children experience beauty in the world – a pure, unfiltered connection that most of us lose somewhere along the way to adulthood. Those moments when the world reveals itself in all its unexpected magic aren't just sweet encounters; they're glimpses into the essence of life itself.
The Forgotten Art of Wonder
Remember watching an ant trail with complete fascination? Or collecting ordinary twigs and leaves as if they were precious treasures? Or being mesmerised by patterns of sunlight dancing across your bedroom floor?
These weren't just idle moments. They were deep communion with the world around you – a sensory meditation we rarely allow ourselves as adults.
Young children naturally embody wonder. For them, everything is awe-inspiring; they encounter each moment as if for the first time. This capacity for wonder offers us, as adults, a powerful pathway back to our own reverent nature.
When we join children on their journey of discovery, we're given another chance to reconnect with that sense of openness and possibility. Beauty deepens beyond the visual – it becomes a language, a way of understanding ourselves and the world.
These early experiences of wonder create neural pathways that stay with us. When we collect moments of beauty, we're building a reservoir of resilience – emotional resources we can draw upon during challenging times.
The Nature of Reverence
What exactly is reverence? It transcends our ordinary categories – existing beyond likes and dislikes, beyond right and wrong. Reverence simultaneously recognises the uniqueness of every being while connecting us to something larger than ourselves.
While gratitude is closely linked to reverence, reverence reaches deeper, touching something fundamental in our human experience. And though many associate it with religion, true reverence exists beyond any set rules or fixed beliefs. It brings us back to an embodied knowing that connects us to the world in profound ways.
Awakening Reverence Within Ourselves
Before we can nurture reverence in children, we must first cultivate it within ourselves. Children absorb what we do, not just what we say. Our words must carry authentic feeling; otherwise, they remain empty vessels.
How do we develop this authentic reverence?
By becoming more curious
By slowing down and creating pause points
By opening our eyes to see more fully
By letting go of our narrow views
This expanded vision creates space for wonder to emerge – wonder that reconnects us with the extraordinary nature of ordinary things. When we practise encountering the world as if for the first time, we align ourselves with children's natural way of being.
In moments of reverence, our physiology actually changes. Our breathing deepens, our nervous system calms, and we become more receptive. This state of openness creates space for wisdom to emerge, allowing the essence of the world to speak to us without projection.
Your Personal Practice: Collecting Beauty
What would happen if you treated beauty as a practice? Not as something passive you consume, but as an active way of perceiving the world? What if you understood that your capacity for wonder is a muscle that needs regular exercise?
Consider starting a small practice of collecting beauty. Not just photographing it – though that can be wonderful – but truly receiving it:
The way light catches an object in a room
A stranger's unexpected kindness
The first green shoots of spring
In our hyper-productive world, these moments might seem indulgent. But reframe this thought: they are essential nourishment for the soul. They teach us how to be present, how to receive, how to marvel.
Practical Ways to Cultivate Reverence with Children
Reverent Moments in Daily Life
Simple daily practices can anchor reverence in family life:
Light a candle at mealtimes to express gratitude for both food and companionship
Transform storytime into a sacred moment of imagination and wisdom
Take nature walks with the explicit intention of noticing beauty – a tiny insect, a budding flower, the miracle of life revealing itself
The Power of Rhythm and Repetition
Reverence thrives within the rhythms of daily life. Young children need safety through predictable patterns:
Establish beautiful rituals as anchors—morning gatherings, transitional songs, bedtime stories
Honour children's developmental stages by attuning to their specific needs
Keep your approach simple and unhurried, creating space to fully participate in moments of wonder
Creating Beautiful Environments
The physical environment profoundly influences our capacity for reverence:
Create beauty through thoughtful simplicity at home
Consider a nature table with subtle colours and a few carefully selected items—perhaps just a twig with a bud, a single leaf, or a special stone
Remember that it's your feeling toward these simple treasures that allows children to express their natural wonder
Honouring Festivals and Special Occasions
Seasonal celebrations offer opportunities for cultivating reverence with children. These occasions connect us to the rhythms of nature and the deeper meaning of time's passage.
What makes these moments special isn't elaborate decorations or expensive gifts, but the quality of presence we bring. A few meaningful elements—natural decorations, colours, music, thoughtfully prepared foods—create a sense of the extraordinary within the ordinary.
Stories become particularly powerful during festival times, creating a bridge between the visible and invisible aspects of life.
The Transformative Power of Reverence
When we honour children's being—when we recognise the miracle that they are—we create more peace and harmony in our relationships and communities. Through reverence, we model respect for life that transcends surface-level interactions.
Reverence nourishes both children and adults, calming our often-frenzied nervous systems and creating space for deeper connection. In reverent moments, we move beyond words into direct experience.
Our childhood selves knew this instinctively. Before we learned to filter, to judge, to categorise – we simply experienced. We were open. Curious. Endlessly fascinated.
As we practise reverence, we discover that it doesn't require teaching so much as showing. By modelling ways of connecting to reverence, we plant seeds in children that will grow into resilience—a capacity to recognise the sacred in everyday life, to meet challenges with a deeper trust that in the beauty of the world, goodness will prevail.
The invitation is always here: to pause, to notice, to allow ourselves to be surprised.
What catches your eye today? What makes your heart soften? What reminds you that you're part of something larger than your daily concerns?
In reclaiming this capacity for wonder and reverence, we don't just enhance our children's lives—we reclaim an essential part of our own humanity.
Continue Your Journey with Me
If these reflections on reverence have sparked something within you, I invite you to join me for a deeper exploration...
Announcing: "The Heart of Childhood: Reclaiming Presence for Connection"
My new book will be released by early summer 2025, offering practical wisdom and heartfelt guidance for cultivating reverence and wonder in your family life.
What you'll discover:
Daily practices that transform ordinary moments into sacred experiences
Ways to create beauty and meaning in your home environment
Approaches for honouring children's natural reverence
Techniques for slowing down and finding pause in a rushed world
Stories and reflections to inspire your own journey of reconnection
Exclusive Pre-Launch Opportunities
For my blog readers:
Early Access: Be among the first to receive the book
Companion Workbook: Get the practical workbook with your pre-order
Online Course: Join "The Heart of Childhood" course with limited spaces to ensure personalised guidance
Community: Connect with like-minded parents and educators seeking to bring more reverence into their lives
Join the waitlist: Email us through the contact form on my website or visit the "My Book" page to stay updated on exclusive pre-launch offerings.
With warmth and reverence,
Julie Lam