Clearer Vision

There’s been a remarkable change in me since July 16: I no longer wear glasses! I had cataract surgery in both eyes, and while they were at it, they corrected my vision. Oh, I still have to wear reading glasses, but I’ve turned that into a fun thing. I have a pair of readers in my purse, in my sewing room/office, in the kitchen, and by the side of the chair I sit in while reading. But for the most part, my vision is slightly better than 20/20. I never knew how much I couldn’t see before.

The difference in my vision is remarkable. I am no longer looking through the milky fog of cataracts. Colors are brighter. Trees and flowers are so crisp and clear I can see individual leaves and petals. I can read the road signs from quite a distance away, for which everyone on the road should be grateful!

I hope I doesn’t look too silly, but for the past six weeks, I have been gazing at things that I hadn’t been able to see clearly before. I can’t stop looking at all things around me. I’m amazed at what I can see. Were my younger granddaughter’s eyes always that shade of blue? Were those freckles always spread across the face of my older granddaughter? Did my dog always have those patches of brown on her front legs? And how long has my husband had all that gray in his hair and his beard? No matter, for those things are now beautiful to me.

It’s safe to say I can now see things more clearly than I did before.

Now, when I look at the stained glass windows of our church building, I really see them, for they are visual masterpieces of God’s love.

Now, when I look into the eyes of my friends above their face masks, I really see them, for their eyes cannot hide their hearts. I never knew that eyes could really laugh!

Now, when I look into my garden and see tomatoes and cucumbers and green beans, I really see them for what they are—God’s provision and care for meeting our needs.

This all reminds me of Matthew 7:7 that says in part, “Seek and you shall find.” Look closely at Jesus’ words and you we can see that if we come to God, seeking out His Words, we will find answers to our questions and prayers. But we have to use our eyes to see. We have to look for God’s hands at work in our lives. If we open our eyes and clear our vision of all the things that distract us from seeking God, we will really see God for who and what He is. Almighty God. Adonai. El Shaddai. Jehovah-Jireh. Elohim. I Am.

Psalm 121:2 says, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” It’s time we cleared our vision and looked to God for our help. I’m sure we will be amazed at what we will be able to see.