Daughters of Promise March/April 2016 | Page 7

a NOTE from the EDITOR I met Joyce four years ago when I started attending her church. A tough, friendly woman, she reminded me of my grandmother; a matriarch with equally strong opinions and loyalty, unafraid to speak her mind. Joyce stood out to me, for she was legally blind. Suffering from cataracts and macular degeneration for many years, Joyce wears thick (mostly ineffective) glasses, and could no longer read or drive. With remarkable grit, Joyce did was she could. Every Sunday she spoke up with prayer requests and testimonies. She retained custody of her young great-niece. And although the people around her were dim, blurry blobs, she engaged heartily in conversation and contributed what she could at church functions. Yet, she was severely limited and it was a grief. Observing this amazing transformation has given me deeper insight into the importance of clarity - not just visually, but internally. The power to live as God intended comes when we bring our hearts and minds into sharp focus on HIM. And when stresses, worries, sins, or unhealthy habits start nudging in on our periphery, the field of vision narrows and our heart’s eyes dim. Much of the confusion women experience today is the result of a lack of spiritual or emotional clarity. For seven years, doctors had told Joyce that it would be pointless to remove her cataracts; her sight were too far gone. Last year, my friend Gert found a doctor who said he would try. A series of appointments with a variety of specialists later, and surgery was scheduled. Joyce’s vision in her right eye was 20/400, and in her left she could only discern hand movement. Ladies, do you grasp the power of walking in the light of Jesus? He created you for order, not chaos! He intended you for victorious, honed in livi