Friday, September 25, 1998
Friday, September 25, 1998
God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.
(Genesis 1:31
NRSV)
Once years ago there was a little girl in an institution who was almost like a wild beast. The
workers at the institution had written her off as hopeless. An elderly nurse believed there was
hope for the child, however. She felt she could communicate love and hope to this wild little
creature. The nurse daily visited the child whom they called Little Annie, but for a long time Little
Annie gave no indication she was aware of her presence.
The elderly nurse persisted and repeatedly brought some cookies and left them in her room. Soon
the doctors in the institution noticed a change. After a period of time, they moved Little Annie
upstairs. Finally the day came when this seemingly "hopeless case" was released. Filled with
compassion for others because of her institution experience, Little Annie, Anne Sullivan, wanted
to help others.
It was Anne Sullivan who, in turn, played the crucial role in the life of Helen Keller. It was she
who saw the great potential in this little blind, deaf and rebellious child. She loved her, disciplined
her, played, prayed, pushed, and worked with her until Helen Keller became an inspiration to the
entire world. It began with the elderly nurse, then Anne Sullivan, then Helen Keller, and finally
every person who has ever been influenced by the example of Helen Keller.
That chain of love goes on forever. Before it began with that elderly nurse, though, we have to go
all the way back to the beginning when God first loved God's creation.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thanks for showing me God's love. Amen.
Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA