Hope

"As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. "Teacher," His disciples asked Him, "Why was this man born blind? Was ita result of his own sin or thoseof his parents?" "It was not because of his sins or His parent's sins," Jesus answered. "He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him"----John 9:1-3
I read this passage in my devotional, Hope by Nancy Guthrie and it got me questioing why were the men asking the reason why this man was suffering...did it really matter? Didnt it occur to them that no matter the reason this man was suffering, wasnt there anything they could do to help? COuldnt they offer prayer, some kind of help whatever that may be, offer him financial help since he probably couldnt work because of his affliction....something, there could have been something that would show the mercy of God to the man but seen from the eyes of the people probably standing around or by the sharing of this man that being humble and helping the needy is something we should offer any time we come across someone like that??? Not judge them and have pity, but empathize...there is a huge difference, although some get it mixed up.
As I pondered this, it struck me as odd...how I have had that same thing come up in my own life in manny different aspects, but I wonder...is it possible the men wanted to deter to a analyticla point of view because in fact to see someone suffer, especially when it seems inhumane or unfair that it made them feel uncomfortable???Could that be it? Is it possible it was because of something as simple yet complex of a reason??? Or maybe, just maybe it put them in touch with feeling vulnerable....that is questioning themselves...what would I do if in that same situation?? It causes one to in fact put themselves in the realm of things like this can happen to everyone, in any form it doesnt have to be blindness but anything great or small, which is another subject I shall delve into...why do people measure "problems" that is to say something they are going thru is more or less that someone elses. Why is that...anyone have any ideas? Id like to know, it has happened to me a time or two...or three or four :)
So I ask this of you ....what will you do the next time you see someone suffering in front of you ...will you judge them as to why they are going thru such a thing...will you prevent yourself from being vulnerable...even as so much to say a kind word, or offer comfort in the words such as "I dont know how you do it, I couldnt do it" anything just anything. I try to always remember that myself. But I do admit, some times seeing someone suffer causes me to question my own humanity, my own possiblity that it could be me in that persons shoes, without the eyes ot see the mountains, my kids as they grow up, my friends as we talk face to face, for I would feel as I am missing out on so much. So as I close, think about this, will you allow yourself to thank God for what you do have, Thank him you dont have to go thru what that person is...can you imagine how this man felt being blind from birth?? So much to think about, today, tomorrow, the next and so on. Will you offer a kind word, works and worry more about the person than your being uncomfortable. Thank you Lord for this day you have made. Amen.