Now I see

John chapter 9

He was blind from birth and declared steeped in sin. His sin or his parents, no one knew. But this everyone knew...his fate was to sit and beg for help. He couldn't work and couldn't fend for himself. His existence lonely and lost. One day he heard a voice. An unfamiliar voice. Perhaps this stranger would help. Give him some food or money. Or even some conversation so he would know he wasn't just part of the city wall. He heard the stranger say "but this has happened so the work of God might be displayed in his life." vs 3

Then the stranger touched him. Covered his eyes in spit covered mud. He was told to go wash off his mud. After the final drops fell from his lashes, he looked up. He "came home seeing." vs7

Surely those who knew this man would rejoice in his miracle. Celebrations or dinners. Something would have to be done to commemorate this day. Indeed. A date with the religious leaders of the time. Not big fans of this stranger called Jesus, they wanted to know if this man was truly blind from birth. Perhaps he was faking. Perhaps this was some other man. If all else failed, can you believe this miracle worker has the nerve to heal on the Sabbath?

Twice they question the now seeing blind man about what had happened. Twice he tells his story. Frustrated the leaders declare this "miracle man" a sinner. I imagine the smirk that crosses the now radiant face. "He replied, whether he is a sinner or not I don't know. One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see." vs. 25

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I don't claim to have all the answers (stop laughing Scott). Okay, maybe I sometimes claim to have most of the answers..cause frankly there is a right and wrong way to do certain things. This time I am talking about things of faith. I can't tell you how they put the bible together or who did what. I can't argue theology with the best of them. I don't know all the whys and hows and I am ok with that. I also won't give you fake answers to things I just frankly don't know. "I’d rather live with a good question than a bad answer" —Aryeh Frimer

But this I know. I little over 16 years ago I felt lost. I felt alone. This wasn't because I didn't have the best family and a solid background in the church. This wasn't because my mama hadn't been praying for me and teaching me about Jesus's love since I took that first breath. I felt this way because I hadn't met HIM.

And one summer evening, in a small stuffy chapel, I heard someone ask if I wanted to hope. If I wanted to be loved forever, unconditionally, and completely. Faults and all-right where I stood. I did. Boy, did I ever. I closed my eyes, and I met HIM. After that prayer-that time when I met HIM- I remembered opening my eyes and really thinking I saw things differently. Things seemed brighter and different.

I can't don't know his name in many different languages. I can't trace his linage back to the beginning. But I realized that now, I have known Him in my life longer than I was without Him. I won't argue theology or the rest, but I can tell you what I know.

I know that when things seem dark and bleak, He stands beside me. How many times, have I prayed for peace to be given that and more? I know that in times of joy, He rejoices with me. I have felt his prescence over me. I know that I never feel hopeless or abandoned. Even when all men fail, I have one who never falls.

All I can tell you is "I was blind, but now I see."