God’s
Wonder
The book Wonder
was written in 2011, and the author, R. J.
Palacio was awarded the Newbery Award for it in 2012. Because of the
sensitive nature of the content – and my own emotional state at the time, I
delayed reading the book. Finally, in 2017, I was talking to a fellow educator
who was reading Wonder for
consideration as a part of her school’s curriculum. As a result, I read it, too. I’m glad I took
the plunge.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story, Wonder is a work of fiction, but it has
a powerful message. It’s the story of 10-year-old Auggie Pullman, who was born
with a craniofacial malformation. To protect him from the bullying they feared
he would encounter due to his less than normal appearance, despite repeated surgeries,
his parents chose to home school him. As he approached fifth grade, they feared
that his academic needs would exceed their capabilities and so they enrolled
him in a nearby charter school. The head of school placed him in the care of
three students. Unfortunately, his differences proved to be more than
challenging for them, and so the feared bullying occurred. Yet, Auggie
eventually rose to the occasion and proved himself to be truly a wonder.
Palacio was asked how she came to write such a story and
reported that it was born out of an encounter she and children had with a child
who had a facial deformity, and rather than using it as teachable moment, she
rushed her children from the scene. Realizing
she had missed an opportunity, she began writing the story that evening (https://www.npr.org/2013/09/12/221005752/how-one-unkind-moment-gave-way-to-wonder). It
appears that title of the book is closely connected with a song by Natalie
Merchant (http://www.nataliemerchant.com/wonder/); the
lyrics may be found here (https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nataliemerchant/wonder.html).
It is here that Wonder
becomes closely associated with my life. I was born with a neurological
disorder (Von Recklinghausen’s NF!). It brought some physical challenges and
some unusual physical appearances – one boy called me “the girl with the
stretched head” when I was in elementary school. I did have coordination issues
and wore a back brace for several years, and I often felt like “damaged goods.”
In my young adult years, I began to be beset with severe pain, primarily
headaches and balance issues. It seemed that the hydrocephalus that had been
discovered in childhood was now causing more severe problems. My parents had opted not to go for the shunt
when I was a child because of the risks involved, but now the need for it was
inevitable. So we had the necessary surgery.
As I lay in the bed recovering, a doctor on call stopped by to check on
me. Incidentally, he was the one who had seen me when I was a child and had
wanted to implant a shunt. Bear in mind that I was now over 30.
He turned to my
mother and began discussing my medical history. When he learned that he was the
doctor who had initially suspected hydrocephalus, he asked my mother. “Well has
she had a normal life?”
Mom answered him, “Well, yes, she just completed her second
Master’s Degree.”
He replied, “Wow, I wish I had done the surgery when she
was a kid. Everyone would have been amazed at what I had done with this kid who
might have been disabled.”
I remained silent, but as soon as he was gone, I turned to
my mom and said, “That turkey! Does he
think he can take credit for what God did?”
That’s where my connection to the book Wonder comes to play. When I read the book, it immediately
resonated with me. One of the principles on which I hang my life is that I was
made by God for His glory. Psalm 139:14 states, “I will praise You for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 states, “… most gladly will
I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” As I mentioned earlier, Palacio notes that the title of her book was
taken in part from song by Natalie Merchant:
“Doctors have come from distant cities, just to see me
Standing over my bed disbelieving what they’re seeing
They say I must be one of the wonders of God’s own creation …” [1]
As I read this book, I was reminded that I was God’s wonder,
created for His glory. There have been days filled with pain and frustration at what I can’t do when I questioned the purpose
and validity of my birth, and thought just maybe I should have been aborted. Auggie’s story and the truth of God’s Word,
turned these doubts and questions to praise that my parents chose to give me
life. On days, that I sense discouragement and frustration because of my pain
and limitations, I will give praise that I have been chosen to be one of God’s
Wonders. May He be “glorified in me at my expense.”[2]
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