Where There Is No Vision by Laurie Herlich

Where There Is No Vision

by Laurie Herlich

“Where there is no vision, the people perish”

(Proverbs 29:18a, KJV).

In childhood, I memorized Proverbs 29:18 after seeing the verse on the Op-Ed page of a newspaper. It remained with me throughout life and has taken on another layer of meaning since my recent cataract surgeries.

A miscommunication with my surgeon led to my vision being flipped from more than six decades of nearsightedness to sudden farsightedness. Before receiving the proper prescription, I suffered through four failed attempts at corrective lenses. I was unable to see the computer screen and the keyboard at the same time.

My empathy and respect for disabled authors deepened while unable to write during those four months. During that time, I wrestled with overwhelming grief and anger.

At the surgeon.

At the lab.

And to be honest, with the Lord.

I endured an intense spiritual struggle along with the inability to write.

Recently, our pastor led us through Psalm 13 to encourage those of us who face hardship. He shared four strategies to help us struggle well. His sermons urged us to feel our feelings instead of burying them. He emphasized speaking the truth about our reality. We learned to entrust our feelings to God, as David did, through daily choices of surrender. Lastly, he taught us to wait patiently during confusing times.

I’ve applied the pastor’s guidance and found clarity and hope. I am learning to walk this path in the renewed vision of the Holy Spirit despite the limitations of my human perspective. Will you join me?

Holy Father, you have made us in your creative image. You were the original Word made flesh. Please grant us the right words to share your message. Holy Spirit, open our eyes and impart your vision for what we are called to write. Amen.

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