Patty and I met many years ago when she joined the women’s Bible study I was a part of. She would eventually take over the leadership of that group. It was during our time in this group that we discovered both of us had children with disabilities. It was also in this group that I got to hear more of her story.
Since then, we’ve exercised in the wee hours of the morning before our kids went off to school. Ran two marathon relay teams together. Volunteered with our kids at church, and celebrated our kids’ milestones.
In the 10 years we’ve known each other, we’ve laughed, cried, and drank way too much coffee and I’m not going to mention the sweet treats we may or may not have consumed.
So it was great to sit down and chat with her again. I hope her story inspires, encourages, and brings a fresh perspective.
Being blind isn’t bad
As we sat in a local bagel cafe nursing our coffee I piled Patty with questions. Not about weather or other niceties but about the lessons she’s learned on her journey. So while the two ladies at the other booth talked about how they met their husbands, Patty shared the lessons God was teaching her.
One of those was the concept of being blind. Not in the literal sense of the word but in the figurative sense. Of not knowing the answers. She puts it this way ‘we don’t see things until the Lord wants us to see them. Until then we’re going to be blind to some things that we don’t understand [sic]. But in his perfect timing, he will reveal that to us [sic].’
I really like Patty’s explanation here. I know without any doubt, there will be times when we won’t understand why certain events happened. Whether that be in our own lives or in the world we live in. We may long for an answer. Any answer. Sometimes no matter how hard we seek, we won’t have those answers. This can led to stress, anxiety or even depression.
Patty refers to these moments of not having answers as being blind. She says when we’re going through difficult times. Or when we’re grappling to make sense of our circumstances. But we don’t find the answers we long for, remember God’s allowing us to be blind for a time. In his infinite wisdom, at exactly the perfect time He’ll reveal the answers to us. We may not know how long that time will be but we can rest in the knowledge God does know.
She also goes on to say sometimes God allows us to be blind for our own protection. Because we may not be ready to see yet.
She illustrates this point by sharing the story of when her daughter got sick with E. Coli.
The time her daughter was blind
As shared here, Patty’s daughter was 13 months when she got E. Coli. A very serious condition for someone in her age range. Her bout will E. Coli resulted in several medical issues. In addition, while she was in the hospital recovering, she also lost her vision. Nobody knew for certain if she would ever regain her sight. In fact, when Patty and her husband brought their daughter home, she was blind.
Miraculously, after several days in the comfort and safety of home, her daughter’s vision returned.
The lesson
Several years later, Patty was wrestling with God in prayer seeking closure on a situation she didn’t understand. He reminded her of this time when her daughter was blind.
He reminded her the blindness she thought was a setback was in fact a way He was protecting and keeping her daughter safe. God was protecting her daughter from trauma. Preventing her from developing a fear of hospitals and doctors. Keeping her safe until He knew she was ready to see.
God used this example to reveal the concept of being blind to Patty. He reminded her of the fact her daughter’s sight was only restored when she was back home. Back in a place of safety and comfort. Back where she needed to be, at exactly the right time He restored her sight.
In the same way, He reminded Patty she will be blind for a time. But at the right time, when she’s exactly where she needs to be, God will reveal the answers to her. Whether it be on this side of the grave or not. She will have her answers. It’s a promise we see in the Bible in I Corinthians 13:12.
Take comfort in the blindness
I can’t help but see the goodness and faithfulness of God in Patty’s story and the tender way He watched over her daughter.
To be clear, her daughter getting sick was not a good turn of events. That season in Patty’s life was not easy. Yet even during that time she had the assurance God held her daughter in His hands. Although she still doesn’t know why her daughter got sick. Or even when she’ll be healed from her seizures. The only truth Patty knows is God has a reason. But for now, He’s allowing her to be blind to that answer for a time.
She extends this truth to all circumstances and situations she doesn’t understand. Because she knows in God’s infinite wisdom, when it’s the right time, He will reveal the reason why. Until that time, she walks in the confidence that God is working everything together for her good even if it means she’ll be blind for a time.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT)