Gospel of John, chapter 9:39

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: “I am blind, please help.” There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a generous portion of coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving more money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were going. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.” I wrote: “Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it.”

Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people how blest they were that they could see. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Be thankful for what God has given you. Strive to think positively, not negatively. Face your past without regret; handle your present with confidence; and prepare for the future without fear. Be not like those who have eyes, but see not. Then, you will be more grateful for what you have received, and more generous to those who have not.

Jesus came on earth, so that we might see.

Nancy Tupas

* * * Do not miss tomorrow’s blog on Magnanimity * * *