Tag: blind

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

What are you looking for?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Amir Geshani on Unsplash

Some “through the bible” thoughts from John 9.

Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind” (John 9:39).

After giving sight to a man born blind, Jesus runs into those who cannot see how he could be the Messiah. After all, he healed this man on the Sabbath. But how could he do that if he weren’t from God?

This man has his eyes opened, but others shut them, refusing to see.

When does my sight fail me?

  • A horn honks and I hit the brakes. I checked twice but never saw the car coming.
  • The homeless guy at a busy intersection every day becomes part of the landscape. I hardly notice him at all.
  • Important information gets lost in the torrent of email newsletters that fill my inbox every day. I didn’t see the meeting announcement.
  • I thought I had cleaned up all the dog poop in the back yard. Of course I stepped in the only pile I didn’t see.

In what ways does Jesus help my vision?

  • I see people around me in a different way. I see people with stories not just issues.
  • I recognize how much I have rather than just the things I lack.
  • I think back and see how God has brought me to this time and place.
  • I see reminders of God’s provision in every flower and bird.

There’s so much to see. And so much I don’t. A great question to ask is, “What are you looking for?” God did say, “If you seek me, you will find me.” If I choose to notice him, it’s amazing how much of him I will see!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

This time he uses spit

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Some “through the bible” thoughts from Mark 7 and 8.

“And taking [a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment] aside from the crowd privately, Jesus put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue” (Mark 7:33).

“[Jesus] took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him…his sight was restored” (Mark 8:23-25).

So far in Mark’s gospel Jesus healed with his voice and his touch. Why does Jesus use his spit in these two healings?

Some commentators say that Jesus did miracles in a number of ways to avoid leaving any kind of formula for others to copy. Others write of diseased eyelids stuck together and dry tongues, loosened in part by saliva.

Or maybe Jesus turned the custom of spitting from an insult to a blessing. When arrested, Jesus would be spit on and mocked, but also turned that a blessing as taking our shame and guilt upon himself.

When do you spit? Infants spit out that first taste of pureed green beans. I spit out a bug that flies into my mouth. Toothpaste after brushing. Mouthwashing after rinsing. Whatever that junk was you coughed up. A little spit might get a small spot off your shirt. Ever get so angry you could spit? Lukewarm church members make God want to spit you out like old, warm coffee.

God created you with salivary glands so you’d have plenty of spit for digestion, dental hygiene, and talking. Fully human just like us, Jesus put his spit to good use, healing like no one ever has.

Posted in Grace

Seeing grace in new ways

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko at pexels.com

My friend J was sitting on a bench outside of church this morning. I had a few minutes between the middle school Sunday School class I taught and the worship service. I sat next to him and said, “Hey, J, it’s Bill. How are you doing?”

J is blind. He replied, “Well, to be honest, I’ve had better weeks. I’ve been struggling with anger issues again.”

“It’s not easy dealing with anger.”

He went on, ” I’m mostly angry about things that have been taken from me.”

“What do you mean?”

“For example, at the complex where I live. They’ve changed the way you get into the laundry area. They installed an electronic touch pad. I can’t operate that.”

I said, “They must have had the push buttons with raised bumps on them before.”

“Yeah. And they changed how you use the machines. You can’t put quarters in anymore. You have to swipe a credit card. And then there’s another touch pad to tell it what to do. I can’t use that.”

I don’t blame him for being angry. I think J is in his forties, and he has never been able to see. He lives on his own and church members pick him up every week so he can attend worship and an evening bible class. He supports himself working at a pizza place across from the beach. About a year ago J shared how his apartment complex moved the trash dumpsters without letting him know. That was frustrating, too.

I rarely think about the obstacles a blind person deals with every day. Eyes are critical in a world filled with smart phones, laptops, cars, and video games. I should be grateful for all my senses.

J is one of several blind people who come to worship each week. He has been a part of the church’s outreach to a nearby training institute for the blind. I don’t think the church ever pursued that ministry, but we know God opened up that door anyway.

I’m thankful for J and how he helps me see God’s grace in new ways.

Posted in Life

“Can I ask you about your blindness?”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels

At the pre-bible study meal on Wednesday night, I sat across from Jason. I’ve sat with him, eaten, and talked with him before, but never asked about his blindness. He faithfully comes to the Wednesday night men’s bible study. After a while you don’t notice the dark glasses and folded up white wooden cane under his chair. He’s just part of the group.

But tonight I said, “Jason, it’s Bill.” I try to identify myself when I sit down with him. And then I asked, “Can I ask you about your blindness? Have you ever had any sight?”

He smiled and told me he had been born blind. “In fact, when I was born, they had to remove one of my eyes. I’ve never been able to see.” He added, “But I really got messed up when I lost my hearing.”

Jason continued, “When I was a teenager, I would put on my headphones and listen to heavy metal music way too loud. My mom could never get my attention. I guess I overdid it. Now I’m paying for it.”

He then told me about a time when a nurse wanted to check his vision. “She wanted me to read a line of letters on the wall. I had to explain to her that I couldn’t see anything. Boy, was she embarrassed!”

One week, Jason made a pot of chili for the Wednesday night meal. It was delicious. He explained, “My mom taught me how to cook.” She was a good teacher. He has won a few chili cook-offs.

I’ve gotten to know a few of the blind who attend this church. Emily sings with the worship team, equipped with braille songsheets on her music stand. Ricky, with just a little bit of peripheral vision, does a lot of long distance running. Billie had her golden retriever assistance dog in church with her. Yes, of course, I stopped by to say hi to both!

Engaging with the blind is a great reminder that this world is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s also a reminder that God is doing everything needed to restore it. Jesus gave us a taste of that, giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and getting the lame back up on their feet.

Can you imagine what it will be like when the first thing you see in your life is Jesus?