Every Thursday I feature a “throwback” post from my blog archive. The goal is to take a look back and discover new lessons or new opportunities to grow. This week, we’ll look back at “The End of an Era.” You can view the original post here. For today, here’s a quick recap and a few more thoughts about our sense of wonder.

Early in my adventures in parenting, I wanted to take my oldest daughter to Toys R Us. There was no occasion, no reason really, I just wanted her to experience an awesome memory from my childhood and see if we could make a fun memory together. When I got there, I realized immediately, the wonder was gone. At first, I thought maybe it was because I was an adult now, and my ability to appreciate it had withered. But as I walked around with my daughter, I realized, she was not impressed. 

Gone were the days of the giant giraffe greeting you at the door. No longer were their toys out and about for kids to play with and test. Toys were replaced with locked cases, electronic tags, and steel security cables. The place “Where a kid could be a kid” looked more like a prison than a playground. I was disappointed in her. She would never know the magic of what Toys R Us used to represent. A few years later, Toys R Us closed. I’m convinced that their inability to create a sense of wonder cost them their business. 

As I reread this post this week, I was reminded that our ability to encourage a sense of wonder in our children is critical. We have to help them experience all the beauty and joy and majesty that is present in this world and point them to the God that is beautifully and majestically creative. Let’s encourage imagination and adventure. Let’s encourage them to dream big dreams and chase big goals. Let’s let them know that there is something special about them. Let’s let them know that if they don’t get sucked into the mundanity of the masses they can accomplish these big dreams. 

Be encouraged, the same is true for you. Recapture that sense of wonder. Give yourself permission to dream big dreams again and chase your wildest goals. Wonder is a commodity in short supply. Recapture some of it and pass it on to the next generation. 

What was one of your big dreams as a child that has become dormant now?