Die Brücke

This past week, my eyes were opened to something so obvious yet not "seen" before, at least by me. Actually, it would have been obvious if I knew German. But, alas, I took Spanish in high school and even that is tucked away somewhere in the deep recesses of my brain.

My German-born step-cousin was visiting from California. We had ventured downtown to enjoy lunch and a bit of shopping and were on our way elsewhere in the car, when she asked about the name of one of Walla Walla's historic structures, the Die Brücke Building, wanting to know how it got its name. I said I didn't know, that I assumed it was a family name. But then she wondered why anyone would name a building, The Bridge. Well, that opened my eyes. I knew exactly why. The building is built over where Mill Creek is diverted underground into an enclosed canal that travels beneath that area of downtown where the creek turns northwest. Quite a bit of that canal is spanned by the Die Brücke Building.

 

Though not where I grew up, I've lived in Walla Walla for decades. I've read the name of this building repeatedly throughout the years, but the obvious was never apparent to me. I'd made a wrong assumption. It took someone else's eyes to open mine.

 

Isn't that the way it often is? We go about our way habitually under certain assumptions until someone points us to the truth. Then our eyes are opened.

 

All mankind walks in darkness including our children until someone or something makes their eyes open wide. As moms, we put God's Word and truth in front of them every opportunity we can. Sometimes early in life they "see" and turn to the Lord. Other times, their eyes remain "blind." What is so obvious, so right there in front of them, is not apparent.

 

That's why we pray. Our persistent, fervent prayers will move the Holy Spirit to intervene, to clear their vision so they see through His eyes. Scripture tells us that it is the Spirit Who convicts them of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8).

 

The Pulpit Commentary on John 16:8 describes the world's understanding as "misconceived," like I was about the Die Brücke Building. Misconceived is defined as a condition resulting from a wrong or faulty understanding or idea of something, a condition that is consequently doomed to failure.

 

Yet, the Holy Spirit has the power to correct our understanding or enlighten us.  In the words of Matthew Henry, "Convincing work is the Spirit's work; He can do it effectually, and none but He; man may open the cause, but it is the Spirit only that can open the heart.” Praying moms, it is His power that is the turning point or makes for anyone's defining moment.

 

So, we make mention of our children in prayer, as Paul did of the Ephesians—"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to ___ the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of ___ understanding being enlightened; that ___ may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come." Ephesians 1:17-21 NKJ

 

Never stop praying for your children. We pray to the One Who has the power to give eyes that see to the blind!