Tuesday, September 25, 2018

I Can See Clearly Now


Mark 8:23-25
He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.  When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"
He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."
Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes.  Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

It is a common experience for those who have cataract removal/lens implant to encounter intrusive floaters and an indefinitely long recovery from the effects of dilation and the surgery itself.  I'm feeling extremely fortunate that my bounce back to stellar vision happens fairly quickly.

But in those first days?  I can so relate to the Biblical passage shared above!  When I visit Dr. H., my regular eye doctor, for a post-op, he tells me my pupil is still somewhat dilated, my floaters are "normal," and my vision, believe it or not, is 20/25.  Really???  It doesn't seem that way, at least in those moments.  My eye still feels beaten up, and Tylenol and eye-drops are my constant companions, but I do trust Dr. H.'s expertise, until I hear, "Who knows?  When you come back here in a week, your eyesight could be even better than that."

He must be kidding.  I mean, 20/25 is fantastic, isn't it?  I couldn't ask or hope for anything better.

But as always, God has other plans.

On my return visit, Dr. H. performs his routine check (Can I say I've had my fill of bright lights in my eyes at this point?).  Once complete, he grins from ear to ear.  "What did I tell you about your vision last week?"

"That it might improve?"

"Exactly!  Congratulations!  You're now seeing 20/15!"

20/15???  20/15!!!

Once I recover from the shock of this incredulous news, I can't stop smiling.  I am on the proverbial Cloud 9, and don't plan to descend from it any time soon.  What a miraculous gift this is!

It just took time . . .

~

So often when we pray to God, we want His answer to be quick, and we want it our way.  But as I've written here before, we control neither God's answers nor His timing.  He does.  When I go into surgery, I must admit, my prayer, aside from the ones about lasting through the fasting, is to come out with improved eyesight.  That's all.  Nothing more, nothing less.

But in those first hours after the operation, feeling like this blind man for whom people looked like trees walking around, I wonder, "How long, oh Lord, how long?  When will I truly see clearly?"

I can just picture Him shaking His head, and fixing me in His loving and ever-patient gaze.  "When I say so, my child.  Now, come!  Let me put My hands on your eyes."

In His time.  By His touch.  I see.

Clearly.

Amen!

17 comments:

  1. Congrats on seeing better. You are definitely one of the fortunate ones. Jo still wears glasses so she doesn't have to carry around readers all the time. I would welcome just readers. Not wearing glasses seems like a dream. Thanks also for the application Martha. In His time exactly.

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    1. Thank you, Bill! Indeed, I'm feeling most fortunate and blessed in all of this. Glad you liked the application, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. Wonderful post, Martha. Praise the Lord your are now seeing better. As you say, in His time and in His way.

    God bless you.

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    1. Praising Him each and every day for the marvelous works He accomplishes in His time, Victor.
      Love and blessings!

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  3. This is a wonderful testimony, Martha! Patience has never been my strong suit, but when I face this procedure (probably next year) I'll be sure to remember your words.

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    1. Myra, you will not believe how bright the world looks once you've had this procedure - just breathtaking! And I have to admit, I'm not very patient either, but God is, and never tires of helping me learn to be.
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Martha, thank you for sharing your experience here--the improvement in your vision is nothing short of amazing! Praising the Lord with you! He is the giver of all good things--His timing is always perfect, even when we question it. Physical sight is an amazing blessing and spiritual sight is even more amazing.

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Spiritual sight IS even more amazing, Kim, and I'm so glad you brought that up here. I'm still praising God for His tremendous care in all of this, and thanking Him for everything.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. Yes, I agree with Myra. Your have given us a wonderful testimony!! I'm so happy for your successful surgery!

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    1. Thank so much, Terri! As you can tell, I'm happy beyond happy, too.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. WOW! I was thrilled to have 20/20 and 20/40. GREAT NEWS!
    Yes, through the lens of Jesus all is seen clearly!
    Blessings, My Friend!

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    1. I would have been thrilled with those numbers, too, Lulu! I'm still floating on that Cloud 9 with these results. Much more than I could have hoped for, but that's how God works sometimes.
      And may we all see through the perfect lens of Jesus.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. Martha, I'm so glad you're seeing clearly ... and have found ways to send a message with strong spiritual implications to us. Bless you for that wisdom from above that flows through your pen ...

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    1. Thank you, Linda, for your most kind words about today's post - I'm humbled and honored, my friend. Yes, I find something almost every moment of the day to look at that takes my breath away. How lovely is God's creation!
      Love and blessings!

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  8. I'm so happy you can see clearly now, even above and beyond you imagined, Martha. These simple words hold a world of meaning, both physically and spiritually - "In His time. By His touch. I see." Thank you! It encourages my heart that one day we will see Jesus face to face and will "see" and understand all His ways perfectly. :) Love and hugs to you!

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    1. Thanks so much, Trudy! And yes, that will be a marvelous day when we see Jesus face to face, and finally understand the big picture.
      Love and blessings!

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  9. so happy your vision is improved then improved again. Your spiritual vision is too. love how you find the lessons in your life lessons. Thank you for sharing these with us too. They inspire me.

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