Humbled by the Simplicity of Bentley

This is 11-year-old Bentley, the precious Havanese of my Austin family. He looks so contented and bright-eyed. He’s contented, but not so bright-eyed. He lost his sight, so he makes his way around the house to his familiar places of comfort, finds his food and the people he loves. He knows me. Along with his people-brothers, he knows I’m a sucker for giving him a piece of meat from my plate. He’s contented with just being. He saunters around the house, occasionally bumping into a wall, but finds himself around just fine. He has developed a mental layout of his domain and he navigates it well. He’s not in pain. I do pray for his sight to be restored, but he’s not complaining at all.

Bentley hears well. He knows it when someone enters a room. He smells well. He knows when I sit down at the table to eat my eggs and toast, makes his way to me, tilts his head back and those black eyes, though without sight, stare up at me and licks his chops. I can’t resist him. I leave half my egg on my plate for him. I know he loves eggs, because he’s the one that found the eggs I had just gathered from the hens, sat them down while I watered the garden and found nothing left in the container. Bentley and I both have good memories. I’m so thankful.

Though most of us could barely imagine what losing one of our senses would feel like, I understand that if one is missing, it can heighten the ability of the other four. For example, the amazing tenor, Andrea Bocelli, has sold over 90 million albums. Bocelli said his parents made him determined to never give up: “This is what my parents showed during my mother’s pregnancy when the doctors advised her to have an abortion because the baby would be born with severe illnesses. She ignored their advice and carried on with my father’s support. Without their courage and faith I would not be here today to tell the story.” He was born with congenital glaucoma and he eventually went completely blind at age 12. Bocelli says he’ll always be grateful for his parents’ intervention.

For most of us, we can barely even imagine what something like blindness would feel like. We have grown accustomed to our world’s sights, sounds, tastes, smells and touches. But, if one of those senses are missing, particularly that of sight and sound, if lost, the brain “reroutes” the normal sensory pathways and the unaffected senses take up the responsibilities of the affected sense, so to speak.

I’ve seen it in Bentley. For example, touch is more important to him – he cuddles into us; his ears hear better, his food is tastier than ever. I’m thinking that I should close my eyes so that I appreciate what I’m eating more. Maybe my sense of taste and smell may light up in ways I’ve never experienced. I can’t imagine all that blind people must have to conquer – getting dressed, cooking, finding their way through obstacles in their homes. Bentley has given me a new appreciation for the gift of sight. It’s made me realize how much we can take for granted in a single day. My early morning walks without seeing the beauty of a sunrise or the trees, distant hills and checking out the colors of people’s eyes. Bentley has humbled me by the simplicity of watching this little 4-legged creature find his way around.

Do we, all 'seeing' people, fully grasp how blessed we are? Maybe we should close our eyes more and experience what those who have no sight experience. Bentley shed new light for me on his competency and abilities, but even more for me to realize the competency and abilities of blind people. I’ve heard it said 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.' And just maybe the beholder without eyes sees way more than those of us who do. It is amazing what the seeing and the unseeing can learn from one another.

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

The pandemic has kept me from my family and friends in Tulsa. I miss them all, including my "besties", Charles (Mick) & Sheila Michie. Usually, when I went to see them, I made sure it wasn't on Friday mornings because that's their day of being the hands and feet of Jesus to those who need Him so desperately as their Savior. They are passionate about their jail ministry. Before this pandemic, very little could dissuade them from their commitment to make an eternal impact on those they visit.

I remember Mick sharing with me about taking his computer in with him. He showed the inmates gorgeous videos of God’s creation -- waterfalls, mountains, etc. Most of those incarcerated have never seen or even imagined such magnificence. Beauty is definitely “in the eyes of the beholder”. Those of us who have visited those places have an appreciation for that beauty, but after visiting them many times, our out-take isn’t the same as those who can only imagine the beauty.

When we speak of "beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, we mean that it is a matter of our personal opinion. That is why we might see something that is so beautiful that it takes our breath away. But when we point it out to a friend, they might not appreciate it as much as we do. We can only imagine what beauty is to those who have never seen or known the beauty of God and His creation.

Can we even imagine what it must be like for a blind person who never saw color, objects, people, creation -- anything – but, suddenly sees for the first time? I read a story of a young man who had only known darkness and with an innovative and life-changing surgery, he could see. He woke up and saw a young nurse who was looking after him; he thought she must be the most beautiful girl in the whole world. Then another nurse walked in asking how he feels, and he thought that she was even more beautiful. Soon he was taken outside, and he saw the trees, the flowers, the blue sky, people with smiling faces, and he felt like he had died and gone to Heaven. He even asked the nurse, “Am I in Heaven?” All had been dark, but now he could see the light and everything was so beautiful!

As I pondered about “beauty in the eyes of the beholder”, I thought about the old hymn “Amazing Grace” -- how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now, I’m found, was BLIND, but now I see.” Oh, the grace that opened our eyes to the beauty of the redeeming grace of Jesus. Those prisoners, those living without hope and purpose and destiny, those who live in darkness and unbelief -- but then one day -- they meet Jesus and everything changes. They suddenly know beauty beyond description.

I’m still thinking about my friend’s dad who went to heaven on Thursday. If the beauty of God’s creation here on this earth is beyond compare, and coming to know the beauty of His redeeming grace – we cannot even fathom the beauty to looking on our Lord’s face and His redeeming grace for all eternity.

“As it is written: ‘What no eye has seen and no ear has heard and no human mind has conceived— that is what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9