Many years ago, geography students, having traveled around the earth by book, were asked at the end of the semester to list what each considered the “Seven Wonders of the World.”
The following garnered the most votes: Egypt’s Great Pyramid, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Panama Canal, the Empire State Building, St. Peter’s Basilica, and China’s Great Wall.
While counting the votes the teacher noted that one student had not turned in a paper. The teacher inquired of the girl as to whether or not she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.”
The teacher suggested, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.” Reluctantly the child got to her feet. Then she began to read, “I think the Seven Wonders of the World are to touch, to taste, to see and to hear…” She hesitated, then said, “and then to run and to laugh and to love.”
What are the Seven Wonders of the World to you? What are the things with which you are most amazed or perplexed?
Let me offer a list; it is not etched in stone, but it is a start. My Seven Wonders of the World would include, in no particular order: Laughter, Songs of faith, The birth of a child, Love, God’s grace, Compassion, Hope reborn, Self-sacrifice, A cactus flower blossom.
Yes, I know that brings my total to nine. But I couldn’t cross out one, let alone two!
Give it a try. What would you list as your “Seven Wonders of the World”?
Shalom, Paul
What are the Seven Wonders of the World to YOU?
