Going Blind - Encouragement Café - Feb. 12, 2015

Going Blind

Café Menu for Thursday, February 12, 2015

Today’s Special is: The Potter and The Clay

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Carolyn Dale Newell

Main Ingredient:

But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.

Isaiah 64:8 NKJV

Entrée:

Usually I write about God’s grace during my difficult time of rehabilitation. I tell people that I consider it a privilege to lose my vision because through it, I see the glory of God. Allow me to take you back to the days of fear and sadness when I realized I was going blind.

The doctors had told me that my visual impairment would not lead to total blindness. Imagine my shock when I noticed a drastic decline in my vision. I had noticed changes, but during our Christmas trip to Dollywood, I realized that I could no longer see the shows like I had before. I fought back the tears until we reached our hotel room, and I admitted to myself and my husband that I was going blind. When we came home, I made appointments with rehab counselors and doctors.

Often, I would cry.  I was scared of the unknown. It was sad to think that I may live in total darkness.  The problem was that I really did not trust God to supply my needs and strengthen me to do all things, but God is faithful even when I have doubts.

My Bible study had taught me to let God mold me because He was the potter, and I was the clay. I prayed for His will to be done, not my own selfish will. As the potter molded me, I learned to trust Him. The fears and the tears vanished in His loving hands.

People tell me that I am so strong, but they don’t know about the fear when I was mourning the impending loss of my sight. They only see the finished product after God molded me – “the work of His hand”.

Take Out:

It is normal for us to experience some grief when we are faced with the loss of one of our senses or the loss of an arm or leg. We often take our healthy bodies for granted. We need to remember that God is as faithful to His promises today as He was when He parted the Red Sea or when He protected Daniel in the lion’s den.

Whatever you are going through, trust God.

Dessert:

Dear heavenly Father, forgive me when I doubt and fear. Increase my faith for I know that You, the Potter, know what is best for the clay. In Jesus’ name, amen.

© 2015 by Carolyn Dale Newell. All rights reserved.

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Pull up a chairHe’s been waiting for you.

Need a refill? Please join us at the Encouragement Café with Luann and Friends.

The conversation at the Café is always hot and fresh. We invite you to listen in as Luann and Friends gather around the table to discuss everyday life.

Comfort food for your soul is always on our menu, and friends are always close enough to hug. We invite you to join us daily, as our writer’s share how the Lord continues to transform them into His glorious image.

Still craving more…Join us as we grow together in grace and truth through our online bible study.

Stop by Encouragement Café and listen as the girls share life. Find podcasts, videos, Bible studies, prayer, resources and daily helpings of hope, laughter and friendship around our table. We've saved a seat just for you!

Originally published Thursday, 12 February 2015.

SHARE