She Always Knew He Was There

She Always Knew He Was There

A demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” Matthew 12:22-23

By presidential proclamation, today is Helen Keller Day in the United States. This day commemorates her birthday on June 27, 1880.

Helen Keller was a fellow Alabamian. She became blind, deaf, and unable to communicate after a childhood illness. Her early years were extremely difficult, as depicted in the popular play The Miracle Worker. When my children participated in this play in high school, Helen Keller’s inspiring story of overcoming adversity touched their lives, just as it had mine.

As a small boy, I remember traveling with my family to visit Helen’s childhood home in Tuscumbia, Alabama. But I’m not sure I fully understood her life story until several years later, when it was made into a movie.

Without the ability to see or hear, Helen learned to communicate with the help of her tutor, Anne Sullivan. She received an education and became an activist and ambassador for those with disabilities. It is said that clergyman Phillips Brooks (best known as the lyricist of the hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem”) first introduced Helen to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Upon hearing it, Helen is said to have replied that she had always known that Jesus was there, and now she was glad to know his name.

After a tempestuous childhood, Helen’s demons were chased away, and a Christlike spirit followed her the remainder of her days. Her life as a modern-day miracle is similar to that of the man referred to in today’s verses. Only God could have accomplished such amazing healing.

TODAY’S RX

Nothing can separate us from the knowledge of God’s love—not blindness, deafness, or the inability to communicate.

Thank you, God, that your love has no bounds. You make yourself known to all, reaching people in ways that are vaster than the stars. Thank you for desiring a relationship with me.