We have friends at church who are vision impaired. He is completely blind, and his wife has 15% vision in one eye. Another gentleman at church is completely blind. Both gentlemen worship during the service by using Braille. The woman with 15% vision uses a tablet with an enormous font. All three worship along with the congregation by using Braille to follow along with the scripture readings and the songs.
We gave the married couple a ride to church and a ride home last week. On the way back to their house they told us some of the places they have visited in their lives. Being vision impaired didn’t limit them.
It reminded us of Jesus’s words in Matthew 12:
“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing they do not hear.”
Then I thought of all the people I’ve met in life who are “life-impaired” because they choose to be this way. People who find excuses for not being able to participate with everyone else. People who have jobs they hate because they won’t make the choice to look for a different job.
People who have limited funds yet still have the money to stop by Starbucks for their morning coffee, and never work overtime when they have the opportunity. They can’t see how small life changes will make an enormous difference in their lives.
How many people like this do you know? How many people like this have you worked with?
They aren’t physically blind – but they are unable to see solutions.
As we wrote Diagnosed, we were introduced to over twenty people who shared their journey after an alarming medical diagnosis. Their stories were all inspirational. They told us how important prayer was in their lives. Survivors shared how having a positive attitude helped them get through their healing process.
Many years ago, I had the opportunity to join a mission trip to Haiti. This is a country where the average income is $750 per year. Yes, this means their average income is less than $15 per week. Not per hour like new minimum wage in the United States. $15 per week. When they clean their living room, they are simply sweeping the dirt floor.
The people I met on this trip were amazing. They wear their Sunday best to church. The kids wear white starched shirts to church – even though they may not be the correct size. We didn’t meet anyone, however, who complained. They were too busy living.
If you are looking for it, you can see examples of people living positive, proactive lives all around you.
I hope this gives you inspiration, too.
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