Every Day Is A Blessing

One very ordinary day, when I was at the brink of giving up on life, a friend of mine who is a counselor at the non-profit organization, Resources for the Blind Inc. (RBI), encouraged me to read the Singers of Zion. She lent me this book to be inspired, believing that I could relate well to the story’s lead character. The Singers of Zion has two parts. The first is about Fanny  Crosby, a blind poetess, while the second is about Frances R. Harvegal. My attention was captured and held by Fanny Crosby. She inspired me and continues to do so in many ways.

Fanny Crosby (March 24, 1820-Febuary 12, 1915) was born without any impairment. When she was six months old, however, she caught colds and developed inflammation of the eyes. Because no physician was available, her family sought the aid of another country doctor. This doctor, unfortunately, was not qualified to practice medicine. This unqualified doctor prescribed a hot mustard plaster as a treatment. Because of this, Fanny became blind. This could have been a waterloo of her life, yet despite her condition, she never pitied herself. Instead, she became more driven to lead a normal life. At an early age, her grandmother taught her about God and the Holy Bible. When she was eight years old, she started creating poems. One of her poems caught my attention.

"Oh, what a happy soul I am!

Although I cannot see,

I am 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’m blind,

I cannot and I won't."

So many times, we are not content with what we have. Instead of looking at our blessings, we tend to look at our failures, weaknesses and what we have lost or do not have. Fanny’s poem simply tells us that in spite of our imperfections or limitations, there is always something we are to thank the Lord for. Fanny’s book made me realize that I don't need to envy people who are not disabled because God has enabled me, in spite of my condition, to do many things. I could still groom, feed, and travel all by myself while other disabled people could not. These are blessings I praise and thank God for. I may be performing my tasks in different ways than the non-disabled, what counts is that my impairments do not render me incapable of doing anything. I am blessed that though partly blind and partly deaf, I am differently abled.

While reading the story of Fanny, many lessons flashed in my mind that I decided to jot them down on my secret notebook. Looking back on my personal experiences, I sometimes lost hope and faith and I would easily give up when I encountered problems which were seemingly unbearable and impossible to solve. I would fear a lot especially when things did not go the way I expected or planned. In time, I learned that I need to fight and pray, and to constantly ask the Lord to guide and give me strength in order to survive, to reach my full potential, and to live life to the fullest. He is the only source of light that directs me to the right path. His is the sweet and still voice which always reminds me of how much I am loved, accepted, understood, and valued for who I really am and what I have become. A positive outlook in life fueled by love for and faith in the almighty are Fanny Crosby’s secrets to living a joyful life despite its challenges and difficulties. With God’s help, she chose and was able to remain strong and willing to fight.

Fanny Crosby was married to Alexander Van Alstyne. They were blessed with a baby girl who suddenly died during infancy. Despite the tragedy, Fanny remained strong. In memory of her daughter, she wrote the poem entitled “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.”

We all need to be strong and to take courage when faced with life’s trials and tribulations. Let us allow God to guide us and help us conquer every obstacle with His strength rather than merely relying on our own.  Let us always remember that we are made for a purpose to fulfill in this world, and that God has a good plan for our lives which, though we  may not know yet, are surely what is best for us. In spite of all the hardships we may be confronted with, there is always a reason behind those trying times. They are not meant to hurt us or to punish us but to teach us lifetime lessons which are intended to make us better, not bitter.

All people, though replete with differences, are still the same. Each of us is created by God in an amazingly unique way, making us equal in His eyes. Since we are uniquely endowed with His blessings, there is every reason for us to be content in life. When you feel low and insignificant, that you don’t seem to be as blessed as other people are, think again. You are unique. You are special. You are eternally loved by the perfect One who created you. Think of persons with disabilities like me. I may lack the ability to see and hear, but I regard my impairments as blessings because I believe that the Lord is able to use them for good not only in my life but in the lives of other people as well—individuals whom He has assigned to inspire through me and to be ministered by me. As Fanny Crosby puts it, “IF I HAD A CHOICE, I WOULD STILL CHOOSE TO REMAIN BLIND ... FOR WHEN I WILL DIE, THE FIRST FACE I WILL EVER SEE WILL BE THE FACE OF MY BLESSED SAVIOUR.”

From Fanny Crosby’s optimistic perspective on life, I learn that I need to be content in my visual and hearing impairments because god has a purpose for me and I have a mission that God gave me to me to accomplish. Fanny had every reason to lament life, but she always found reasons to celebrate it. This, I too must do for the glory of the Lord. Like her, may we all not look at the things we don’t have. Instead, may we focus on, appreciate, use, treasure, and thank God for what we already have.

I will always thank the Lord for that very ordinary day. Through my counselor, I was able to have access to the piece of art that ultimately changed my life. With an extraordinary God to back me up, my life will always be special.