Help for the blind...

That phrase can be interpreted in lots of ways: help with tools to navigate, help for restoring sight, help with support, help with grants, scholarships—the list is way long. Of course, those of us who are blind need help in various ways in different stages and from varied sources.

But the best help anyone has given me after I lost my sight came from two friends who took me into a Christian church. In the midst of sobs that expressed my misery, I blinked my tears away to see God for the first time. My heart opened wide to get a glimpse of His love, and like never before, I saw the traces of His compassion as He stooped and lifted me up, brushing off sadness and hopelessness that had dirtied my world.

But it was this past Saturday night when those thoughts flooded my heart. There I was, seated at a table in a ballroom, decorated with Bolivian items. My parents sat to one side and some friends across from us. The event was created to celebrate Bolivia’s independence day (August 6th). My parents enjoy the music, the food as much as I do. But when the program started, the loud, rhythm of the familiar Bolivian tunes reverberated through the walls of the room and also of my heart. I was taken back to my days when I could see. To the time when I was awed by the bright colored costumes, the elaborate design, and the fancy adornments that made the dances look majestic.

For one moment, the urge to see, just for a second, or a fraction of a second washed through me. But with the next breath, I realized the shallow echo of such request. Of course I’d like to see again, but when I ponder on the vision God has given me after my sight closed in, I inhale deep the wonder if that very miracle.

Remember this story? “A blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’

“Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’

“‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road” (Mark 10:47-52).

God, who knows the perfect gift for us all, granted me the gift better than the man in the story. He granted me the eyes to see His hand as He ushers me from day to day, The words of reassurance that dance through my heart, the joy that adds color to my world, and the beat of His comfort that takes me effortlessly from moment to moment.

And through it all, I learned that the eyes of the soul see what the world looks for.

Janet

I’d love your comments, just send them here: Jeckles@cfl.rr.com.


Janet Perez Eckles

Inspiration in the midst of a hurried world: www.janetperezeckles.com
Inspiraciön en medio de un mundo apresurado.