Sight

"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision."

~ Hellen Keller ~

My grandmother has macular degeneration and each year her vision worsens. She is unable to be the same independent woman she was several years ago. She and I used to keep up a regular correspondence, writing once a month. When I lived overseas I could count on letters from Grandma - what an encouragement that was!

But now she can hardly write legible script because she cannot see her own handwriting. She tries to read using a magnifying machine but even that has become difficult. This summer she was able to see my kids for the first time (we live far apart) and she never once let on that she couldn't see well. She still enjoyed their presence, teaching them a silly song about buying bubble gum with a nickel and making great smacking noises. I remember when she taught me that song!

My grandmother may be losing her sight but she has not lost sight of her vision. She wakes each morning and begins the day in prayer. She prays for her family... and for the world. She spends the day returning to prayer continually. She used to keep a spiral notebook on her table which prompted her to jot down prayers here and there at any moment. Since she can't really read or write well anymore, I imagine her prayers are no longer written.

He said, “Go and tell this people:

“ ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;

be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’

Make the heart of this people calloused;

make their ears dull

and close their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts,

and turn and be healed.” Isaiah 6:9-10

How often I see my childrens' faces but lack vision to see what God is doing in their little lives. How many times do I look in the mirror seeing my reflection but not seeing myelf with God's eyes? How frequently do my eyes fail me as I look for God in this world?

Oh, that I might have the vision to see beyond this moment, to see into eternity. That God would grant me heavenly spectacles through His word to see His purposes in everything.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.