The Eyes of My Heart

May God “give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened…” Ephesians 1:17-18

Dear Lord, it’s dangerous to open the eyes of my heart. It means opening to the pain of others, to their struggles, their weaknesses, their ability to hurt me, and others. It also means opening the eyes of my heart to my pain, my struggles, my ability to hurt others, my weaknesses. I’m not sure which is worse.

But Lord, I hear you say, “Do not be afraid.” You remind me that opening the eyes of my heart means seeing not as we see, but as you see. It means seeing with love, with your love – because my own pales in comparison. It means seeing the good in others, seeing and being thankful for your Spirit in those around me, seeing the love and joy that comes from opening myself to family, friends, parish, neighbors and the poor.

Opening the eyes of my heart means seeing creation as your gift, hearing music lift my soul to you, feeling you as the foundation upon which I walk each day – trusting in the path though I don’t always see where it’s going. It means trusting in the mystery – in what cannot be seen or understood with the eyes in my head!

Lord, when I’ve tried to see with the eyes of my heart, you’ve shown me beauty, love, peace – and humor and wonder! Please help me continue to risk seeing with the eyes of my heart – with your eyes. Jesus I trust in you.

Lynn Wells is a St. Laurence parishioner and spiritual director.