Memorial Box Monday: The Blind See

Memorial Box Monday was started by Linny at http://aplacecalledsimplicity.blogspot.com/. The idea is to remember the marvelous works of the Lord in a concrete way since we are a forgetful people. Click the box above to find out more.

One winter night while walking in Chicago with Joel (who is now my husband) during college, we happened upon one of our homeless friends. We had spoken with him before, but this night it was so cold, so we invited him into the nearby train station for a hot cup of coffee. He came, chatting easily the whole way.

After we were seated and a little warmer, I took out my Bible and asked him if he would like to read some. We knew he believed in Jesus and he answered yes, he wanted to read some of the Word. So, I slid the Bible over to him, opened to one of the Gospels.

He brought his face close to the page and with his finger underlining each word, he painstakingly began to read. I didn't realize he would have any problems reading aloud, otherwise I probably wouldn't have asked to read for us. Haltingly, each sentence was uttered, and sometimes reuttered, until finally I stopped him. When he looked up, he said he couldn't see that good. As I looked into his eyes, I became acutely aware of the white cataracts over BOTH his eyes.

I asked, "What's wrong with your eyes?" He didn't know. He just started talking about how when he looks up to the sky, he really wants to see the clouds, how pretty they are, and how he can't see them.

Okay. So, this guy is homeless. No medical care. No place to lay his head. He lives outside. And he can't even see the clouds.

I said, "Joel, let's pray for his eyes." So we both put our hands on the man's eyes (with permission) and prayed in Jesus' name that he would be healed.

When we lowered our hands, the man lowered his head and began rubbing his eyes. When he looked up, his eyes had gone from white to red. I admit, I was a little concerned. However, I pointed at the Bible and said, "Try again."

From a normal distance, he began reading the Scriptures to us. He didn't stumble at all in his words! He wasn't even using his finger as a help anymore!! Suddenly, we all realized it and began praising God in excitement. The Father in heaven healed this homeless man in Jesus' name!

When the man looked at me again, smiling, I noticed his eyes were no longer white...

... or red.

They were brown.