Have you ever noticed that  some people just sing gloom and doom every time you encounter them? Yes, the economy is bad and things are uncertain for all of us. But God has not changed and no one will ever have to “bail” Him out. He is still in control regardless if the economy or the world situation. It makes no difference to God what the polls say or how big the deficit is to Him. The point is that even though the world seems to be in a terrible mess, the Creator, the God of the entire universe is unchangeable and unshakeable and that is good news! Our attitudes about the times should reflect that certainty of Him in our lives.

I know once years ago I told you about my Great Aunt Molly. She was the first blind person I encountered and lived much of her older years in total darkness.

She was in her nineties when I was just a little girl. On trips back to Tennessee, we would always stop by to visit Aunt Molly. Blind and all alone, never was she sad or distressed. She was not pitiful and didn’t complain away her days. She was happy. In fact, she was joyous.

With her charismatic personality, Aunt Molly greeted all visitors to her home with cheerful words: “ Honey, bless you little one - God loves you! I had the best time with the Lord this morning and He showed me the beauty of the earth. He sent the birds to sing to me. Spring is coming and my garden will be the best ever this year. Praise the Lord - His mercies to me are new every morning.”

I saw her blind and feeble, but nothing changed her happy emotional state. I would see her walk all over the porch and into her yard with her cane, feeling her way along, excited to be with company and excited about life.

Her happiness showed in her expression. Even though she was blind, her eyes always twinkled with excitement for life. Even though odds seemed against her, she was contented and joyous because she possessed a relationship with God that produced spiritual vision. That vision was sufficient to sustain her day by day.

In the Bile are several stories about blind people. Jesus no doubt met scores of them as He traveled the roads of Palestine, and He always stopped and gave them their sight and He opened their hearts so they could see that He was the way to salvation.

Today, many people are still spiritually blind. People who are spiritually blind do not see the goodness of God. In the Bible we read “Thy mercies are new every morning.” (Lame. 3:23)

As a youngster, I remember one church hymn entitled “Count Your Blessings.” The concept of that song is an excellent exercise in spiritual math! Instead of focusing on all our troubles, we should count the daily blessings that God gives us.

Aunt Molly’s vision was not resorted during her earthly life. Yet, I am sure that a wonderful scene unfolded upon her arrival in heaven. With new eyes and a new body, there is no question now about Aunt Molly’s ability to see. Her excitement and gratitude are I am sure as she looks with acute and perfect vision into the face of Jesus, the Light of the world!

My Aunt Molly was a testimony to me that Jesus Christ could bring joy to His children no matter what their physical plight may be. She truly counted her blessings in life and consequently her troubles seemed small. We all could take a lesson from her example.

Judy Brandon is a Clovis resident. Contact her at: cbrandon@plateautel.net