Monday, September 15, 2008

Unless a Grain of Wheat is Buried...

My brother-in-law, Ronnie Eurwell Dodson, passed away a week ago today.

I would not let myself believe Ronnie was going to die. But, he did. It was unexpected. Cancer showed itself on July 5, 2008 and on September 8, 2008 his memorial service was held. Never has anyone in my family who I was close to at the time died. I miss Ronnie.

It was not until after he died did I realize my feelings about Ronnie.

Ronnie was always kind to me, always. Whenever I walked into a room where he was, Ronnie always smiled at me, always. In all of the seventeen years I have known Ronnie, he never said one thing to me that was unkind, never. Rather, he always had something nice to say to me, always. He prayed for me, when I was in his presence and when I was not. He loved my husband's and my little boy, he loved our older children, he loved us as well.

Why is it that we do not think about these things, realize them, until after a loved one, close friend, or co-worker is gone? Self absorption? Closed eyes to that which is real life, to that which is most important - people, relationships, losing self, giving versus getting.


I was reminded this morning of the scripture from John 12:24-25 (the following is from The Message translation):
"Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal."

It took Ronnie to die for me to realize his kindness toward me over the years and his love for me and my family. I am sorry I did not realize these things before he was taken to his eternal heavenily home. I am not sure he knew I loved him as an uncle- father-figure. I never told him.

Oh for opened eyes and a heart that is reckless in love toward others, that does not hold on to this world for self-absorbed pleasure. Let me see the value in others each and every day, and tell them as much. Not when they are no longer here with me on earth, when nothing then can be said.


Saturday, September 6, 2008

Blind Eyes That Can See

"Oh what a happy soul am I although I cannot see. I have resolved that in this world contented I will be. How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't, to weep and sigh because I am blind, I cannot and I won't."

The words above were penned by Fanny Crosby (March 24, 1820 - February 12, 1915) when she was a mere eight years old.  Fanny became blind at a very early age after a physician inadvertently applied some type of caustic ointment pads to her eyes causing her eyes to be scalded.

During her 94 years on this earth, Fanny wrote over 8,000 hymns. During all of the years which she was physically blind, she could see God better than most.

A favorite of Fanny Crosby's songs is "Blessed Assurance (Jesus Is Mine... This is My Story, This is My Song...)"


1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.


2.  Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Refrain

3. Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Refrain

It is amazing to me how much one could see without natural visual sight.  My eyes are opened, and, "see" I do; yet not a fraction of what Fanny Crosby was able to view. 

Praise for God filled her heart and it poured from her mouth. God inhabited her praises, and spiritual insight was gained. 

May my eyes be closed to all that is around me, my heart inclined toward God, and my mouth continually express praise to Him so my dimmed, blind eyes may thoroughly see.