- photo by Susan PageWould you be described as an optimist or a pessimist, a person who views the cup as half-empty or half-full?
Perhaps for many, it depends on the circumstances or the season of life you find yourself in. Our attitude can hinge on what we have been through or are currently facing. When we can’t see the forest for the trees, we should lean on others and our Lord. We must find quiet and rest for our souls when we lose the ability to stay grounded in a positive mindset.
I am always renewed when I’m outside taking in the beauty of nature, surrounded by majestic mountains or a stately forest, enjoying the melody of the birds or the thunderous pounding of waves upon the shore. When enveloped by God’s wonderful creation, I gain perspective, sense God’s love and feel grateful. But … what if I couldn’t see?
Honestly, I can’t imagine, can you? I recently came across a poem in a friend’s blog and like my friend, I could find little information about the author, but her words brought tears to my eyes and questions to my soul.
Would I could see the beauty of the flowers
whose sweet perfume pervades the Summer air,
The grass so soft beneath my faltering footsteps,
That thing called light I'm told is everywhere.
Then I could see the trees in Autumn glory,
The little birds that flutter to and fro;
The colours of the rainbow, sunset glowing;
The changing seasons as they come and go.
But I am blind and cannot see such beauty,
No moon or stars illumine my long night,
No dawn of day or sunrise in the morning
can share with me the wonder of their light.
Yet I am glad, when each new dawn comes breaking,
To feel the morning air, the sun's caress,
To touch the gentle softness of a rosebud,
and breathe the fragrance of its loveliness.
The scent of rain upon a country footpath,
Soft music and a voice that sweetly sings,
God's hand in mine as He so gently leads me --
I need not eyes for all these wondrous things.
- Ms. Patricia McGavock
A beautiful poem like this helps put things in perspective and truly inspires me. It’s also why I like to read biographies, especially from people of faith who have overcome tremendous obstacles. People like Joni Erickson Tada, Corrie Ten Boom, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Elisabeth Elliot, Katherine and Jay Wolf, and Nicholas James Vujicicto. These and others who have persevered despite tremendous pain, physical suffering, and loss are testimonies of the strength found in Jesus.
Could I write the words “but I am blind, ... followed by, … yet I am glad?” I’m not sure I could.
It reminds me of these words by the Apostle Paul, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Phil. 4: 11-13).
Another beautiful portion of Scripture that encourages us in the face of tremendous difficulties is the following: “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal (2 Cor 4: 6-12; 16-18).
As the poet so beautifully penned, “God's hand in mine as He so gently leads me -- I need not eyes for all these wondrous things."
Trusting in the things that are unseen and eternal. That’s a blind perspective.
Susan Page is the daughter of the King, His beloved child, wonderfully forgiven and blessed! Susan longs to age gracefully, becoming more like Jesus as she seeks the hidden treasures revealed to her through Scripture, literature, the arts, humankind, and nature.