The Blind Man

As the two men listened to the preacher’s sermon, they had no way to know the things God would teach them this day. The sermon was about eliminating pride through prayer, a subject everyone needs to hear. Both were good men, regulars at Sunday worship and active in the church. They had been friends for several years and each Sunday came to church together. Bill was blind and his only way to attend was for someone to bring him. Dave was the kind of person always ready to help someone.

At the end of the sermon, the invitation asked for those in need to come down front for prayer. Bill, using his cane, made his way down the isle. Dave sat watching as his heart swelled with joy for his friend. The prayers concluded, the congregation began to exit and Dave found Bill and helped him to the car in the lot. They spoke little on the drive home as they sat in silent reverence.

Dave dropped off Bill at his house and began his trip home; glad Bill had been able to overcome his problem. As he drove, he began to wonder what issues with pride Bill had been battling. He found it interesting a man with his handicap was capable of finding things of which to be proud. He hoped Bill would be willing to talk about it, and maybe he could help Bill, from falling back into pride.

By the time Dave got home the question had become more than he could bear. He decided to call Bill and invite him to lunch; this might give him the opportunity to ask Bill if he could help. With lunch eaten, as the two friends drove home from the restaurant, Dave guided the conversation back towards the morning. At the appropriate time, Dave decided to pop the question and find out the answer for which he was searching. He asked Bill to tell him, if he did not mind, in what area of his life he had asked for prayer for his pride.

Bill, first looking at his lap and then at his friend said, “Dave I was praying for you”. “I have noticed you seem to feel that taking me to church is an act of charity, and that you feel it makes you special in the eyes of God”. “I have heard you tell others you can not join them for events because you have a responsibility to help me”. “You have even complained to them how you give up your time but you know it is what God wants you to do”. “I was praying that God would open your eyes so you could see that what you are doing is not for me”. You have been helping me so you could feel good about yourself, and this feeling has grown into pride”.

When Dave dropped off Bill at his house it was the last Bill heard from Dave that week. Sunday came and Dave arrived on time and they went to church together. This week’s sermon was about the miracles of Jesus and the good works he had done on the earth. On their way home, with a tear rolling down his cheek Dave said to Bill, “Friend, sometimes pride can make us blind but thanks to Calvary, the dumb can now hear, the lame can now walk and even the blind can see”.

Dave and Bill have become inseparable friends. They continue to attend Church together on Sunday. Dave has gotten over his pride and drives Bill now because he enjoys his company. When others see them, they have no way of knowing the truth. One man carries a cane and sometimes needs help to walk. The other can walk but sometimes needs help to see.

With Love;

mj1