Mark 10:50-52
Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped up and came to Jesus.
"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."
"Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Recently, I go to my eye doctor for my annual exam. The evidence is now incontrovertible. The cataract in my left eye has become so intrusive, it must be removed, and the sooner the better.
Now, I must confess. My doctor advises me last summer to have the procedure done, but I develop a severe case of "chicken," and decide, because the new contact prescription helps so much, to postpone the surgery. After all, with everything my husband, Danny, goes through concerning a new pacemaker in 2017, I'm simply not up for any more medical drama.
But this time around, I bite the bullet, scheduling my appointment for cataract removal the moment I get home from the doctor's. It's set for September 12. I'm actually relieved to be going forward, knowing how much my eyesight will improve once the offending player is removed, and a permanent (hopefully perfect) lens is implanted.
There is one problem though. When my contacts are upgraded, I neglect to do the same for my glasses, which I'm required to wear for an entire week before the surgery. Yikes! How will that affect my ability to read? To write? What about driving? Will headaches come calling on a daily basis? Or will my eyes adjust smoothly to this transition?
Instead of worrying about all this, I am praying about it, knowing God will help me get through whatever distress or discomfort I might endure those seven days. And friends, I would so appreciate your prayers, too, as the wearing of the glasses begins tomorrow.
I have to focus (pun intended) on the ultimate goal: to see clearly without the aid of contacts or glasses. Although the blind man in Mark's verses above makes his request to Jesus in person, I'm asking the Lord to work through the hands of the technicians, nurses and doctors to restore my sight, and heal me completely.
I have faith the Lord will do this.
He's the only One who can.
Amen!
I am praying for you right now, Martha. Trust in the Lord.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks so much, Victor! Yes, I'm trusting in the Lord.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Jo had cataract surgery about 3 years ago. I envy her because she doesn't have to wear glasses but chooses to because of reading/computer work. Me? I'm not wearing them. The eye doc tells me I have them in both eyes but they have not gotten worse in the last 2 years so I have to keep waiting. :) I'm bummed. After wearing glasses since 4th grade (2 millenia ago) I look forward to not wearing them. it is not to be. Yet. will pray for you this week and your surgery.
ReplyDeleteLike Jo, I will need reading glasses once the surgery is complete, but don't mind that at all. Sorry to hear you have to wait on yours for a while, Bill, but let's hope you can have them treated sooner than later. Thanks so much for the prayers!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Praying right now, Martha. These things have a way of looming over us, don't they. May you look back and see {no pun!} how He was with you every step of the way.
ReplyDeleteBless you in the waiting, friend ...
Thanks so much for your prayers, Linda! And I absolutely love puns, so yours brought a smile to my face today.
DeleteLove and blessings!
We will be expecting a good report, Martha.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol!
DeleteLove and blessings!
God be with you, Martha. I know it's scary. I have had both eyes done. I still need glasses because of stigmatism though. I pray your surgery will go well! I also pray God is leading you and giving you wisdom in difficult decisions you and Danny have to make. Love and hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reassuring words, Trudy! It's always comforting to hear from someone who has gone through the procedure and has lived to "see" another day. :) Thanks, too, for your prayers, my friend.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Praying for you sweet, friend! I've also marked my calendar for the 12th. God does not give us the spirit of fear, but of love and sound mind. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Beckie! It really touches my heart to know that you've marked that date on your calendar. And yes, I'm already feeling God's strength working in me as I move forward toward the actual surgery.
DeleteLove and blessings!
My dear precious sister...remember this is only temporary... the inconvenience, the anxiety, the lack of sight...will be over and when it is finished you will be able to see better, read better and write better...don't focus on the now...focus on the future plan God has for you... plans to prosper you and not to harm you...plans to give you a good future (para Jer. 29:11)You are in God's hands...what better hands could ever hold you...love you...prepare you for what he has in store? Do not be afraid daughter...The creator who made you and gave you sight is living inside of you...and He will not let you fall!!! Praise Yahweh..."Let ALL (eyes) that is within me, Praise the LORD!! I love you. And like the blind man said, "All I know is, once I was blind...but now I SEE!!!"
ReplyDeleteAmen, and amen, again, Marla! Your powerful reminders of God's presence and promises have truly given me peace and comfort at this time. Thanks so much for your empathy and your prayers!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Praying for you, Martha Jane! My Joe has had both eyes done and he had no problems at all. You will be fine, with so many praying for you and your surgical team!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Terri, it's so comforting to hear that others, like Joe, have come through this surgery with flying colors. I really can feel the power of others' prayers at this time, and am feeling more and more at peace about the whole procedure. Thanks for adding your prayers!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Because I've witnessed a marked decline in my own eyesight (since January), this post is giving me courage to pick up the phone and make an appointment. Prayers for your peace of mind while awaiting September 12!
ReplyDeleteOh, Myra, do go ahead and schedule that appointment! I'm glad that this post gave you the courage and resolve to do so. Believe me, it wasn't easy, but at this point, it's the only choice I have. Trusting the Lord is in this with me, and will be in it for you, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
ok extra prayers for you next week. I have the start of one so will be following you at some point. Getting old is a pain. Just got hearing aids as I was tired of missing things. Quite a adjustment. Laughed at your pun about focus by the way. Made my evening.Let us know how it goes next week. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the extra prayers, Jean, and I will be sure to add hearing loss healing to my daily prayers for you. Did I ever tell you that all my blogging friends are on my prayer list? My mother suffers from hearing loss, so I can so identify with the frustration this can cause, both from the speaker and the hearer.
DeleteGlad the focus pun made you laugh, too. If we can't laugh at ourselves, I think, what good are we?
Yes, I will keep everyone in the loop as to the progress.
Oh, and aging is definitely NOT for sissies!
Love and blessings!
Praying for you now, that God will restore your sight so wonderfully, you will not notice any issues with the glasses...May God give you the courage and faith you need to get through this...He will be with you in every aspect of the surgery and recovery of sight!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pamela, as your prayers and encouragement mean so much. As I respond to your comment, I'm just getting ready to ditch my contacts for the last time . . . Should I shout, "Man overboard!" or "Man, come on board?" Counting on God's love and mercy to see me through any trials I might face in the days to come. Just want to see! Thanks so much for your support!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hi Martha! I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties with your upcoming cataract surgery and having to wear your glasses for seven days! I'll be praying for you that the transition goes smoothly! How wonderful it will be to have the cataract removed, and to be able to see clearly again though! Blessings and hugs to you sweet friend :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Marilyn, for your prayers! Here I am today, wearing those glasses, and although it's awkward, especially with reading, I think I'll make it just fine. All the prayers are already helping!
DeleteLove and blessings!
My husband, Joe, had cataract surgery on both of his eyes earlier this year. He said it was so easy and sees perfectly now. A lady from church had hers done late last year. Both of them said the colors are so vivid. I would be apprehensive too, but both of them said it is an easy procedure and nothing to be concerned about. Praying that all goes well for you, Martha.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers, Kathy! Yes, it is very comforting to hear the success stories of others who have had the procedure done. Truly, I'm looking forward to colors being vivid again so I can really see the grandeur of God's creation.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a gift we have in our senses. I'm glad that you see first with your heart and mind. I'm praying for a successful procedure and better than ever eyesight!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the prayers, Floyd. I surely can use them at this time, as the glasses are making it difficult to read at this point, and I've decided against trying to drive.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, Eye sight--physical and spiritual--is so important for life. I know it will be challenging for you to adjust to glasses while awaiting surgery. Praying that you'll be able to do what you need to do and with little pain and that the procedure will go well.
ReplyDeleteLove and Blessings!
Thank you so much, Kim! It's definitely an adjustment, and driving is absolutely out for me at this time, but God is allowing me to "see" in new ways as I traverse this very short time of inconvenience and discomfort. He is good, all the time!
DeleteLove and blessings!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete