I was so excited! I could finally see (See: I cannot see! Dragon Tramps or
Kingdom Heirs, Part 3)! I was finally able to read anything my teacher wrote on
the blackboard! I couldn't be happier!
My prescription was quite high, however, as I am considered to be legally blind
in one eye; and in those days, there were no high-index lenses (for those of you
who must be thinking I used to roam about with the dinosaurs, this isn't the
case, believe me). With the thickness of the glass in front of my eyes, it
looked like I was looking through the bottoms of coke bottles, and when anyone
looked at me, they only saw a myriad of circles that centered around what
appeared to be very tiny eyes. Many of my school mates were sure I looked like a
monster.
Eventually this fact led to ridicule, as I inadvertently gave the kids in my
class the perfect target for mockery. Nobody would stand beside me. If they did,
they would be made fun of as well. My teachers turned a blind eye to this, and
the mocking children continued their uncomplimentary actions unhindered. I felt
completely alienated. I didn't tell my parents about this, because I didn't want
them to feel bad; however, I shed many a tear when there was no one around.
Whenever adversity strikes, it always opens wide a door of opportunity, and this
was no different. I began playing with younger kids. At least they didn't reject
me. In fact, they were amazed that a boy in grade 5 would spend time with them,
and I quickly became their hero. Whenever they faced a problem, they would come
to me for help. With these kids, I felt like royalty. Though I was disliked by
my own classmates, I was completely accepted by the children in the younger
grades. It's here that the seeds of opportunities began to grow that would one
day lead me to become an school teacher.
May we always remember that when adversity strikes, the doors of opportunities
open wide. If we ignore this fact, we will always feel miserable. If we cannot
fathom these doors of opportunities, we need to spent time searching for the
beauty that our Heavenly Father provides us with. Our eyes will be opened wide,
and we will find refuge from on high, a shelter where we will be safe: "He who
dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I
trust." (Ps 91:1-2, NIV)
After all, coke bottles on your eyes aren't that bad after all! At least I could
see!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.