Lift up your eyes
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, made her way to the seat he had told her was vacant.
It had been a year since Susan had become blind due to a medical misdiagnosis and thrown into a world of darkness. Once fiercely independent, she now felt condemned to be a burden on everyone.
Her husband Mark, an Air Force officer, loved her deeply and watching her sink into despair, determined to help her gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. His military background had trained him well to deal with sensitive situations. But he knew this would be the most difficult battle he would ever face.
When Susan was finally ready to return to her job, there was the question as to how she would get there? Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. Soon, however, they realized the arrangement wasn’t working. It was both hectic and costly.
Susan was going to have to start taking the bus again, but she was horrified at the idea. “I’m blind!” she cried. “How am I supposed to know where I’m going?” But Mark promised that he would ride the bus with her, until she got the hang of it.
And so it was. Each morning they would take the bus; then Mark would take a cab back to his office. In the evening he would meet her for the ride home.
Finally, Susan 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, 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 the driver said, “Boy, I sure envy you.” Susan wasn’t sure he was speaking to her. Who on earth would envy a blind woman struggling to find her way around?
She asked, “Why do you say that?” The driver responded, “It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you are.” Susan had no idea what he was talking about.
He continued, “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 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!”
Ethel Waters, the famous American blues, jazz and gospel vocalist, used to sing, “His Eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!” It’s true, don’t you think?
Clyde Nichols is a retired minister, having served First Christian Church in Temple for 27 years as senior minister. He is the author of three books of devotionals and writes a religious column for several Texas newspapers, including The Reporter.
“This is the victory that overcomes the world—our faith.” (I John 5:4)
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