“‘I see…’
…said the blind lady, to her deaf husband.”
I used to say that, joking — little thinking that someday I’d have a husband who wore a hearing aid or else had me repeat everything he wanted to hear, sometimes twice, and that I’d get a diagnosis of a degenerative eye condition and prognosis of future deteriorating vision, moving unstoppably toward blindness.
Well, it hasn’t happened yet, the blindness, and I’m amazed at how slowly this whole lose-your-vision thing is going so far. I never could see all that great, though what’s going on now can’t be corrected with glasses. I just take nutrition that’s supposed to be good for eyes, and people are praying (and prayer is powerful), and I can still see almost as well as last year. The only change it’s brought that I really don’t like much is losing mobility. I can’t just hop behind the driver’s seat and take off for any-old-where anymore.
But this whole experience has made me consider what really matters. I always thought the prospect of blindness would be the worst ability loss in the world. But instead I’ve just found myself rejoicing at the fact of the hymn, which is true for me: “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.”
God opened my spiritual eyes one day, and the reality of God’s kingdom burst on my (inner) sight. I would never trade that for my physical vision. And as my physical eyesight slowly deteriorates, God just keeps increasing my spiritual perception. That’s a great trade-off, in my view.
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God.” –John 3:3
Free-writing for 5 minutes on the prompt “See,”
for
(PS – I still say that, “‘I see,’ said the blind lady, to her deaf husband,” and still laugh. God has a sense of humor and it’s one of His gifts He passes on to us. 🙂
“God opened my spiritual eyes one day, and the reality of God’s kingdom burst on my (inner) sight. I would never trade that for my physical vision.” Beautiful!
yes …
let’s hear it for clearer vision, in the deepest, most true sense …
What a great lyric to tie into this post, “Was blind, but now I see.” Amazing Grace! Wonderful post and I do pray that you will NEVER lose your vision.
Thank you for visiting me!
God bless!
Beth
Yes, Eileen, that was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I wouldn’t trade anything for it! Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Amen, Linda! It’s become my aim, more and more. (And my favorite old hymn? “Be Thou My Vision.”) So glad you stopped ’round and commented!
Thank you, so much, Beth, for your prayer. Others have been praying the same thing re my physical eyesight, and I truly believe that is the strongest reason why vision loss has been moving so very slowly. I also appreciate that prayer re my spiritual vision, because that’s even more important! God bless!
Oh, such great truth here. Yes, a great trade-off. Knowing Him is worth so, so much more than anything. Thank you for sharing this. Great insight.
I wonder if you’ve ever seen the movie Amazing Grace? You might appreciate the character of John Newton. Or maybe you’ve heard of him elsewhere? Very inspiring.
Hi Mary,
Yep, saw the movie. Also read Wilberforce’s biography, and, long ago, Newton’s.
In the movie, as movies are wont to do, the script people did some character-and-relationship rewriting re Wilberforce’s wife and marriage, turning her into more of “modern girl” and making their relationship more fiery than it really was (for drama? feminism?), and I’m not sure how much “character re-writing” they did of John Newton. (It was a compelling movie, though I wish they’d leave people’s true characters intact…) But I remember what a powerful story Newton’s (auto?)biography was. I ought to dig it up and read it again.
His life made his song, didn’t it? And what a song, that has touched millions (although I’m not sure how many of those millions “get” it)!
Thanks for commenting, Mary, and God bless you and all the work you put into *your* song-writing and recording!
I don’t know how much was changed, but I know that at least one quote was correct (though it might not have been word for word, and a lot of his history was true. I also think that there was a lot of truth in what was said, which is the main reason I like the movie, although I agree that it would be nice (probably better than it is now) if the characters were more true-to-life. I would like to read those biographies, too – unfortunately, my list of books to read is far, far too long already. Someday.
Oh, yes. True. Very true. Especially that last part.
Oh, thank you! I really appreciate it! God bless you, too, friend!
I really appreciate your attitude. As I read this, I sat thinking about all that I would miss if I lost my sight. Many of the things I would miss could be regained with adaptation, i.e. the Bible, writing, and reading. Spiritual sight is invaluable. Praise God we that can’t be taken away from us!
“God opened my spiritual eyes one day, and the reality of God’s kingdom burst on my (inner) sight. I would never trade that for my physical vision. And as my physical eyesight slowly deteriorates, God just keeps increasing my spiritual perception. That’s a great trade-off, in my view.”
Keep these words close, my friend. On a piece of paper, tucked in your Bible. For those spring days when the losses pull.
You have an amazing faith and a beautiful spirit. And now I know how to pray for you. And I will.
Hi again Mary,
Oh, yes there was much excellence in that movie. I have watched it a couple times for the motivation it gives me.
Amen, Tereasa: Praise God that our spiritual sight can’t be taken away! What a gift!
What an excellent suggestion, Denise! That is exactly what I am going to do. Right now.
And thank you so much for prayer. I really believe we can’t do anything better for anyone than fervent effectual prayer!