It Is Autumn and I Can See

Donald M. McKinney tells the story of being in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1947 and walking down Prince's Street on a beautiful spring day. The birds were singing, the trees were budding, the flowers in the garden-like setting were brilliant with their multi-colored hues.

Walking toward him in the distance was a man with a white cane, prodding his way down the street. He held a tin cup in one hand and McKinney noted something unusual. Everyone who passed him made a point to stop and drop money into his container--everyone! Some even went out of their way to intercept the man and add to his receipts.

As McKinney drew closer, he noted the reason the man was receiving such a positive response. He was wearing a placard that rested on his chest and read, "It is spring and I am blind."

The sightless man's message caused all of his audience to reflect upon their own blessings and to respond with compassionate charity.

How often we take for granted the blessings in life that God has given us! How seldom we stop to give Him thanks for eyes that see, ears that hears, and a world that He has so gloriously made for our pleasure.

No, it is not spring. It is Thanksgiving week, in fact, and God's autumn display in the trees of the middle Tennessee hills has reached its zenith. The brilliant reds and golds and oranges are balanced by the muted tones of browns and tans. It is a picture no artist could paint and one that dances on the eye of the mind of the thoughtful and thankful viewer.

No, it is not spring, but it is autumn, and I can see. Thank you, my Father, for a beautiful world and eyes with which to behold it!