The passengers

on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with

the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver

and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the

aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in,

placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.

It had been

a year since Susan, 34 became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she

had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world

of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. And all she had to cling

to was her husband, Mark.

Mark was an

Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all his heart. When she first

lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to

help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent

again.

Finally Susan

felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used

to take the bus but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself.

Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked

at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Susan and filled

Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing

the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized the arrangement wasn't

working. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted

to himself. But she was still so fragile, so angry, how would she react?

Just as he

predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm

blind!" She responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where

I am going? I feel like you are abandoning me.

Mark's heart

broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised

Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for

as long as it took, until she got the hang of it.

And that is

exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and

all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to

rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where

she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend

the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat.

Finally, Susan

decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning

arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary

bus-riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled

with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, and his love. She

said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways.

Monday, Tuesday,

Wednesday Thursday... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had

never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself.

On Friday morning,

Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was exiting the bus, the driver

said, "Boy I sure do envy you."

Susan wasn't

sure that the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth

would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage

to live for the past year? Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do

you say you envy me?"

The driver

responded, "It must feel good to be taken care of and protected like

you are."

Susan had no

idea what the driver was talking about, and again asked, "What do

you mean?"

The driver

answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine-looking

gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching

you as you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street and he

watches until you enter your office building.

Then he blows

you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky

lady!"

Author Unknown

Check out our

new website at: www.hishousecommunitychurch.com Dr. Knox Herndon is the

pastor of "His House Community Church" (SBC) Rev. Greg Mausz

is Sr. Assoc. Pastor. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the Sunday School Superintendent,

Bible study coordinator and teacher. The church has moved to the new location

just below Fayetteville, on GA. Highway 85. As you leave Fayetteville

going South on Highway 85, you cross Highway 16, at the Senoia intersection.

It is a mile on the right just below the fire station. If you are not

in a church, come visit us. Church office and Prayer line (770)-719-2365

E-Mail [email protected].

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