9.19- I was blind, but now I see.

 9.19-

I was blind, but now I see.

Wow! God what a glorious pre-fall summer day in North Texas today. I saw just a bit of leaf change on my trip up the country to Honey Grove, Bugtussle and Oak Ridge Texas on Tuesday. God displays his work in the attitude of people who pursue excellence in their work before money. I drove to Mama’s trailer for lunch and Carol Wishard fixed me a bacon burger with all the trimmings, a pasta salad, pumpkin bread and tea. There was a table and chairs and a large umbrella with a nice breeze to keep things cool. She introduced me to the other customers whom I had not met, though most of her customers were my cousins. As usual she prepared delicious food. If you have not eaten at Mama’s trailer it is worth the trip. Just look for the big silo.

God is awesome. He allows us to see clearly especially if we need and have glasses. This requires technology and men and women who know how to measure your exact needs. I have another friend who shaped my lenses to be exactly what I need. He measured my eyesight situation. Wrote the prescription for me. I am thankful for his skill and 56 years of friendship. You could tell me that Marion is not good at what he does. You could tell me he didn’t exist just because you hadn’t seen him do what he did. I would say, “Well, that’s strange because I wasn’t able to see very well and because of his help I can see clearly.”

Once there was a man who was born blind and the big shot hyper religious pharisees said that Jesus could not have really helped him. He must not be the same man who was born blind. He could not have healed the man because Jesus worked on the Sabbath. They said, “How could a man who broke their religious rules be a godly man?”

The man healed made this basic statement. “Here is what I know, I was blind and now I see.”

I apply this in my own life in this way. I don’t know why God does all that He does. I don’t know why some are born in rich places and some in poor places. I don’t know the answer to wars and famines and earthquakes.

I don’t know the answer to why His timing of the beginning of end of life goes like it does. From my perspective, I join with the wisdom writer who said, “There is a time to be born and a time to die.” I don’t know why God allows some things to happen that seem cruel and ugly as a part of life down here on earth. Much I have to look at and say, “I don’t know why?”

After the trip up the country on Tuesday I saw some men and women who have been through hard things that are busy doing glorious things to help others. I know my friend Carol Wishard and Marion Lewis gave me some gifts that really helped me. What I do know is the same thing the child born blind said, “I was blind, but now I see.”

Larry Wishard

9.15.22