Tuesday, October 11, 2011

First Face

Francis Jane Crosby wrote more than 9,000 hymns, some of which are among the most popular in every Christian denomination. She wrote so many that she was forced to use pen names lest the hymnals be filled with her name above all others. And, for most people, the most remarkable thing about her was that she had done so in spite of her blindness.

"I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when he showered so many other gifts upon you," remarked one well-meaning preacher.
Timeline

Fanny Crosby responded at once, as she had heard such comments before. "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I was born blind?" said the poet, who had been able to see only for her first six weeks of life. "Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior."

-- source

4 comments:

Jason Kanz said...

Are we Facebook friends because I just posted this exact quote from this exact website yesterday morning.

Jared said...

Haha. I don't think so!
I am working on a book chapter on suffering and remembered the Crosby quote about Jesus being the first thing she sees. I wanted to include it, so I Googled it. Just thought I'd blog it too.

But I love sweet serendipities like that.

Paul Walton said...

Wow, reading this quote started my heart to be filled with thankfulness, and joy!
Because I "know" that it is only a real work of God that can do this in someone.

Roberta said...

I love her hymn, "Safe in the Arms of Jesus." She is there now, and someday all His children will be there too!"