Martin Copenhaver: Eyes of the Heart Enlightened

"I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you."  From Ephesians 1:15-23

When our children were young, dinner time was always something a circus.  Feats of wonder were performed.  For instance, when our son was a toddler he liked to throw toast over his shoulder and never once did it land jelly-side up.  Adult conversations were often left suspended in mid-air.  See a little girl take the tiniest bite of a vegetable in history!  And who needs clown make-up when there is enough spaghetti sauce to go around?

After one long winter weekend, our young family assembled for dinner.  It included the usual spirited performances, but I was not amused.  Not in the slightest.  I was quick to volunteer to clear the table, a precious opportunity for a moment of quiet.  When I left, I closed the French doors that separated the dining room from the rest of the house.

As I headed back I paused, not out of dread, but from something much more compelling.  Through the French doors I could see my family.  My wife, Karen, was leaning forward, her eyes with a sparkle that was only slightly muted through fatigue.  Our son, Todd, was throwing his hands in the air and making indistinguishable noises like a worshiper at a revival meeting.  Our daughter, Alanna, was sitting back and giggling, her eyes darting between her mother and brother.  It was the same rowdy circus, but peering through the panes of the door, I was no longer annoyed.  Instead, I felt embraced by the scene.  It was something of a revelation.  I was able to see my life and those I love with what Paul called "the eyes of the heart enlightened."

Prayer

God, give me "the eyes of the heart enlightened" so that I might see this world-and you-afresh and so I might have renewed appreciation for the wonder of it all. Amen.

Taken with permission from the UCC's StillSpeaking devotional. Visit UCC.org