“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” (Psalm 119:18)

Head down, arms full, fingers occupied with a million pressing tasks, and I am prone to miss out on the wonders that you supply in countless forms. Preoccupied with minutia, overwhelmed with daunting responsibilities, blinded by routines, I fail to see the wonderful portions you pour out and provide. So I join the cry of Psalm 119: “ Open my eyes that I may be able to see…”

Let me see you in the ordinary places, the regular spots, the casual encounters. Keep me from expecting you to show up in burning bush and brightened star alone. Help me to catch you in the flickering flame of a flashlight in a darkened closet, in the wispy candle atop a homespun cake, in the pattern of sunlight peeking from behind forest green leaves.

Cause the wonder of your Word to be new again. Peel away complacency and stifle the yawn I greet you with in our early morning encounters. Your Word is called “testimonies” and reveals exactly who you are; it testifies to your greatness in ways far beyond my limited comprehension. Help me pay attention as you testify about yourself. Let me celebrate like the psalmist as he declares, “In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches” (Psalm 119:14).

Life poses predicaments and confusion, but your Word is counselor and reinforcement. When “my soul melts in sorrow,” you are the force that remolds the droopy places. At the times “my soul clings to the dust” and I am barely hanging on, remind me again that you “give me life according to your word!” Help me to “understand the way of your precepts.” Draw me to “meditate on your wondrous works.” Remind me each time I forget that my best course of action is to “cling to your testimonies.” Go ahead, dear Lord, and make me to “run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart.”

Open my eyes to see, Lord. Open my eyes to see.

Elizabeth Karram Mitchell