Christian Reflection and Prayer

BLIND FANNY THINKS OF OTHERS

Scripture:

Psalm 126

"He that goes forth and weeps, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless come again
with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

"Rescue the perishing
Care for the dying
Snatch them in pity from sin and
the grave;
Weep o'er the erring one,
Lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the mighty
to Save."

Frances Jane Crosby was born in
Putnam county, New York on March
24, 1820. Her sight was destroyed at
the age of six weeks because of the
misapplication of a poultice on her
eyes. She was blessed with a
wonderful disposition and accepted
her handicap with an unusual display
of courage.
Franny Crosby was born the second
time in 1851. Seven years later she
married a blind musician, Mr. Alexander
Van Alstyne.
Her cheerfulness and courage coupled
with simple, child like trust in devine watch-
care enabled her to write such heart
warming hymns as "Blessed Assurance",
"Jesus keep me near the Cross", and "Safe
in the Arms of Jesus".

Friday morning, February 12, 1915, just
prior to her ninety fifth birthday, Fanny
Crosby realized to the fullest the words she
had written and recited many times- "and I
shall see HIM face to face".

Reflection:

Here is another example of a person who would
not sit down and feel sorry for herself. In
her blindness she thought constantly of
others. We, like she, can find peace only
as we turn aside to help someone else
and then happiness seems to overtake us.

For God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us
so very much, that even while we were dead
because of our sins, he gave us life when he
raised Christ from the dead.
Ephesians 2:4 NLT

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound—
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
Amazing Grace , John Newton (1725-1807)

The gift of forgiveness is often best appreciated
by those who need it the most. The Reverend
John Newton experienced this truth firsthand.
His tombstone tells the story: "John Newton,
clerk, once an infidel and Libertine, a servant
of slavers in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved,
restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach
the faith he had so long labored to destroy.
" These words were written by Newton himself,
a testimony to God's transforming power. After
years as a hardened slave trader, that "wretch"
met Jesus Christ and abruptly turned to defend
the gospel he had so long despised.

Throughout Newton's years of ministry, God's
amazing grace remained central to Newton's
thinking. When it was suggested he retire
(at age eighty-two!) due to poor health and a
failing memory, he responded, "My memory
is nearly gone, but I remember two things:
that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is
a great Savior!"

adapted from The One Year® Book of Hymns
by Mark Norton and Robert Brown, Tyndale
House Publishers (1995), entry for March 17
When a friend makes a mistake, don't rub it
in. Rub it out.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Acts 10:34,37-43; Psalms 118:1-2,16-17,22-23;
Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9

"He saw and He believed" (John 20:8).

A true story recounted by a man who celebrated
Easter Sunday in a big cathedral ...

It was a beautiful Spring day and a sense of
peace stayed with me as I left the Cathedral. 
I paused on top of the steps leading to the
Avenue, now crowded with people, and there,
sitting in her usual place under a small archway
was the elderly woman know to many of us
Church-goers as the "Flower Lady."  At her
feet were corsages and boutonniere spread
out on an open newspaper.

The flower lady was smiling, her wrinkled
old face alive with some inner-joy.  I started
down the stairs, and on an impulse, I turned
and picked out a flower.  As I put it in my lapel,
I said to the woman, "You look happy this
morning."  She replied, cheerily, "Why not? 
Everything is good."  She was dressed so
shabbily and she seemed so very old, that
her reply startled me.

"You've been sitting here every Sunday for
many years," I said to her, "and you're always
smiling, you wear your troubles well."

"You can't reach my age and not have troubles,"
she replied, "only it's like Jesus and Good Friday."

She paused for a moment, then added,
"You see, when Jesus was crucified on Good
Friday that was the worst day for the world. 
And when I get troubles I remember that. 
And then I think of what happened only three
days later.  Easter, and Our Lord, arising. 
So, when I get troubles, I learn to wait three
days.  And, somehow, everything gets all right
again."

And she smiled "Good-bye," and her words
still follow me whenever I think I have troubles.

CHRIST IS RISEN!