While sitting in church, I observed a very lovely lady sitting a couple of pews away from me.  This lady is very special. You see, she’s blind.  Her husband is always at her side very gently guiding her way.

I realized that her disability is not something that should cause us to pity her.  She has the ability to see things in a much different light than we do.  Although she is always impeccably dressed, it matters not what others are wearing.  She has the opportunity to know people for who they really are.  Think how much better we would be if we closed our eyes and got to know people through our ears.  How often do we look someone in the eyes, close our ears and not hear what they are saying?  What would we hear if we really listened; pain, serenity, love, terror, disdain?  Would we know when someone was lying because the pitch in his or her voice changed?  Think about it for a minute.  We would feel the beauty of a flower with our other senses.  We’d smell the fragrance, touch the little petals and get to know then as individuals, each unique in its own way.

No, I don’t see disability as a liability; I see it as an asset.  It's a treasure to be enjoyed in its fullness, as just one more way to prove our own uniqueness as individuals.  We also need to remember that we are not alone.  Just as her husband gently held her arm to guide her way, God is there to guide us.  He gave us His word in a form we all know as the Bible.  The 10 commandments give us a path to righteousness if we but follow them.  So, don’t walk blindly down life’s pathway.  Use the tools that God gave us.  He will always be there for you.

Wanda Stokely

My youngest son just turned 16.  This began the trauma of searching for the “right” car.  He had purchased a 1968 Mustang a year ago.  His intentions were to restore the car and keep it forever.  I must admit, he did a lot of work, did it right and paid for every penny of it himself.  However, come his 16^th birthday, the car wasn’t finished enough to drive.  If you’ve had children this age, I have no need to explain the degree of stress that a parent goes through finding wheels for the kid.  Trust me, this tried my patience to the nth degree.  Two days before his birthday, he found his car, but couldn’t get the title right away.  What a bear to live with!  How we had to bite our tongues and try to instill the need for patience in him. 

This episode reminded me of God’s patience with us.  Just think, he doesn’t have one child, he has a multitude of children. 

How often do we become impatient to receive what we want?   Why is it so hard for us to trust his judgment and timing?   I for one am thankful for his loving kindness and patience with me.  I’m, glad that he nudges me occasionally so that I don’t take his wisdom for granted.  The old adage is true, “All good things come to those who wait.”  Think about it for a moment and count your blessings too.

Wanda Stokely