Seeing Clearly

And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” Mark 8:22-26


It is often hard to see things clearly. This trip has made some things clear that were only partly understood. Seeing people face to face is much different than hearing them over the phone or emailing back and forth. Seeing clearly requires a full presence understanding, a face to face encounter and being able to touch one another. I knew our grand daughter had grown, but seeing her face to face, watching her run and talk, I now understand who she is a good bit better.

Jesus healed a man who was blind. It was a process and a conversation up close. The man wanted to see but to be healed he needed to see clearly. Other from the village were the ones who brought the man to Jesus, but Jesus tells the healed man not to return to the village. We don't know why because we were not there. But the man's healing was not just in sight but in the fullness of his person, he was saved from whatever misunderstanding and hurt that might happen in the village. God provides us all with healing. God also sees us clearly and invites us to do likewise, choosing to stay away from the places that hurt body and soul.

Today, I ask God to help me see clearly, to draw near and understand the tremendous blessings in my life. May we always move toward love and healing and away from those places that would tear us down and make us blind again. May we be grateful for the people in our lives who help us see clearly. And may God continue to heal and strengthen us so we might reach out to those who do not have a way to see the love that surrounds them.