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The blessings that surround us abound and are too many to list by name, but
many times when a problem comes our way we forget of all the good things
that we have and choose to murmur and complain about the trial that is
before us. We are to have the same attitude of praise and thanksgiving no
matter how things are going in our life. In good times we are to praise
God and in the difficult times we are to thank and praise God because His
provision is sure and clear. The Apostle Paul declares in Philippians 4:11,
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever
state I am, therewith to be content." It is easy for anyone to be in good
spirits when everything is going smoothly, but it takes trust, character
and faith to be at peace even in the midst of the hardest of trials. I
encourage you to be thankful at all times and know that God has promised to
be with you and will never leave your side. (1 Cor. 10:10-11) (James 1:2-5)
I hope you are encouraged by today's message to be thankful for what you
have and remember that God is with you at all times no matter what may
come before you.
THE PASSENGER
The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young
woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the
driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down
the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in,
placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg. It
had been a year since Susan, thirty-four, became blind. Due to a medical
misdiagnosis, she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown
into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity.
Once a fiercely independent woman, Susan now felt condemned by this
terrible twist of fate to become a powerless, helpless burden on everyone
around her. "How could this have happened to me?" she would plead, her
heart knotted with anger. But no matter how much she cried or ranted or
prayed, she knew the painful truth-her sight was never going to return. A
cloud of depression hung over Susan's once optimistic spirit. Just getting
through each day was an exercise in frustration and exhaustion. And all
she had to cling to was her husband Mark.
Mark was an Air Force officer, and he loved Susan with all of his heart.
When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was
determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to
become independent again. Mark's military background had trained him well
to deal with sensitive situations, and yet he knew this was the most
difficult battle he would ever face.
Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get
there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around
the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even
though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted
Susan and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so
insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized
that this arrangement wasn't working - it was hectic, and costly. Susan is
going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But
just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. She was still so
fragile, so angry. How would she react?
Just as Mark predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus
again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know
where I'm going? I feel like you're abandoning me." Mark's heart broke to
hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that
each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it
took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened.
For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all accompanied Susan to
and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses,
specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to
her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could
watch out for her, and save her a seat. He made her laugh, even on those
not-so-good days when she would trip exiting the bus, or drop her
briefcase. Each morning, they made the journey together, and Mark would
take a cab back to his office.
Although this routine was even more costly and exhausting than the previous
one, Mark knew it was only a matter of time before Susan would be able to
ride the bus on her own. He believed in her, in the Susan he used to know
before she'd lost her sight, who wasn't afraid of any challenge and who
would never, ever quit. Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try
the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw
her arms around Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and
her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty,
his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they
went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday...Each day
on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing
it! She was going to work all by herself!
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying
for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure envy you."
Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who
on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the
courage to live for the past year? Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do
you say that you envy me?" The driver responded, "It must feel so good to
be taken care of and protected like you are." Susan had no idea what the
driver was talking about, and asked again, "What do you mean?" The driver
answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking
gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner
watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street
safely, and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he
blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one
lucky lady."
Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't
physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was blessed,
so blessed, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift
she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light
where there had been darkness.
God watches over us in just the same way. We may not know He is present.
We may not be able to see His face, but He is there nonetheless!
My Wish For You Today! Is To Be blessed in this thought:
"God Loves You - even when you are not looking."
Author Unknown
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Hebrews 13:5-6 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
Psalm 91:1-4 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall
abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my
refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall
deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou
trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
Jeremiah 31:3 "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have
loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I
drawn thee."
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: TEN RULES FOR A HAPPY DAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem133.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: WHEN OUR BOAT SANK
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony66.htm
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
