Seeing Through His Eyes – Janis Van Keuren

I have the privilege of working with a visually-impaired student. This second grader is full of life and joy. He wears an ear-to-ear smile every day, and hardly anything gets him down.
Together we’re learning Braille–although he has a couple of years on me. And we read books through a monitor that enlarges the print on the page to the point where it becomes clear to him. We drill through math facts and tackle the second grade spelling list. Most of the time, his eyes dance with a positive, can-do attitude.

     He spreads crayon colors across an art project and carefully wields a scissor with the best of them.
     Only once have I heard him question his disability~although he may moan or groan about the extra effort it takes to produce regular classroom.
     Working with him has given me a new perception. A new vision for how I see things. I’m learning to see life through his eyes.
      As the eyes of my attitude take on a new perception, I pray that the eyes of my spirit may be renewed as well. That I may see the ways of the Lord with clearer vision.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” Matthew 6:22 & 23 NIV

The Lord has given this little one great eyesight. (Proverbs 20:12)

How is your vision? Where is your focus?

From My Heart to Yours,

Linking with Word Filled Wednesday at the Internet Cafe. Click on the button below to see some other inspiring words.

Also linking with High Calling Focus Photoplay, part of The High Calling organization.

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Comments

Seeing Through His Eyes — 14 Comments

Mildred on January 19, 2011 at 4:20 am said:

Hi Janis, My mother was legally blind most of my life. She lived life to its fullest and taught me so much about “seeing” with my heart. God bless you and this little student you are working with.
Joan on January 19, 2011 at 5:17 am said:

Janis – this is a beautiful post. My mother once worked in a nursing home and I became acquainted with one of the patients who was blind. She “looked” upon others with a different perspective. She “looked” with her heart. She taught me a valuable lesson.
gemini on January 19, 2011 at 5:20 am said:

Hello Janis, your entry inspired me today. I also worked with children who have impairment and I love their spirit.Happy WFW and blessings to you today.
Ozjane on January 19, 2011 at 6:05 am said:

May we always use our eyes to look to Him.
lori on January 19, 2011 at 12:52 pm said:

Janis!
Wow….how amazing is it that God moves in ways that teach us when all along we think we’re doing the teaching…:) It IS all in our perspective! I LOVE this!! What a blessing you’ve shared!!

peace,
lori
Kelli on January 19, 2011 at 7:23 am said:

Wow! This story is awesome. How cool that this second grader is opening your eyes too! I have a second grader and it makes me sad that we take things like eye sight for granted sometimes. Great post!!
S. Etole on January 19, 2011 at 3:34 pm said:

what a gift for both of you to help each other see …
Jennifer on January 19, 2011 at 5:52 pm said:

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post! Isn’t it amazing that even in the hardest situations, God can teach us about Him and His plan for our lives?

~Jennifer
Ozjane on January 20, 2011 at 3:15 am said:

Thanks for your visit….re the spider….my friend threatened not to visit until something else was on the front page. She rang from interstate to tell me today and I laughed as she is mad on ferrets and has pet ones in the house and I hate them……so I tried to tell her a spider was just another little furry creature….but no go. So crept outside in my nightie and quickly took a couple of photos.
Nicole on January 20, 2011 at 7:43 am said:

What a great post! How great that God gave you this opportunity to work with him. What a wonderful young little man!
Sharon Kirby on January 20, 2011 at 5:12 pm said:

Sometimes my vision is cloudy, sometimes it’s clear. But I always try to FOCUS on the Lord. When I do that, the “writing” in my life usually becomes a LOT easier to read!

GOD BLESS!
tiffany @ tea with tiffany on January 22, 2011 at 1:47 pm said:

Janis, powerful post. I love it. I want my eyes to see the beauty of the Lord each day.

Have a glorious weekend!
daylily777 on January 23, 2011 at 6:31 am said:

Beautiful& powerful post! Yes, it made me focus on gratitude for what I have and also to be thankful for my eyesight & then it spoke to me about attitude in facing my trials in life & finally always keeping my focus on Jesus , the Author & Finisher of my faith .
Blessings,
~Myrna
ailinh harris on January 28, 2011 at 10:44 am said:

This is such a neat post. Sometimes having the spirit guide you through experiences really does open your eyes and give you a whole new perspective on things. I love that about the gospel, knowing that there are so many things to see and so many ways to see it if we live with the spirit in our lives. Thanks for sharing this post! It’s something to ponder on throughout this weekend.