Close Encounter:
In the early days of becoming a blind man, I had to undergo some extensive training, which included living skills, white cane training, audio typing and so on.
Anyhow, as part of my white cane training: One day I was progressing along a paved area parallel to the side of a roadway.
My journey took me past the face of some terraced houses featuring front gardens which were either enclosed by a low stoned wall, a small wooden fence, or some wrought iron railings.
Then, as I ventured along the concreted area, I would move my white cane in front of me.
I held my white cane with my right hand wrapped around the handle – with my finger next to my thumb pointing along the cane shaft down towards the cane tip.
Tapping my way along, I swept my cane from side to side in an arch about the width of my body.
And so, as I continued along the walkway, this technique would enable me to find the wall, the fence or the railings on my left hand side.
And of course, this would also help me to find any bumps or holes in the ground!
Anyway, after a short distance, I would discover a group of shops – these were set back from the roadway.
However, in order to keep to the route, I would have to indent from the concreted area and follow the line of the shops before resuming the course in front of the gardens to the next line of houses.
On one training day: I had successfully progressed along the first section of the route and had accomplished great strides as I made my way past the group of shops.
Indeed, I was making significant progress!
I was just about to venture in front of the next set of houses with their gardens enclosed with walls, fences and so on.
I remembered, the first garden had quite a low bricked wall for its perimeter.
My instructor who had been assessing my progress, then encouraged me to follow the low wall around.
Continuing with my white cane, I gently tapped my way along, searching for familiar land marks and textures along the way.
I then began to follow the very low wall in front of the first terraced house.
I thought I was doing quite well.
Then suddenly, a hand touched my shoulder. It was my instructor, she asked, “Do you know where you are.”
“Yes!” came my indignant reply, not realising that there was a purpose in her query.
After pressing me even further with a similar question, “Do you really know where you are?” she then instructed me to tap the wall with my cane. I did. Then she asked me to step onto the wall.
Thinking this was crazy, and not too sure what to do – and hoping beyond hope that no one was watching – with some hesitation, I then stepped onto the wall!
To my utter amazement, it suddenly dawned on me!
O boy!
Without any doubt, I suddenly became aware of the reason why the traffic on my right hand side appeared to be a little too close for comfort!
Gosh!
It turned out, that instead of following the very low bricked wall in front of the terraced houses – I was, instead, following the edge of the curbstones!
Can you believe it? I was actually walking in the road. Right in line of the traffic!
Hum!
As I look back upon the sequence of events, I’m so thankful for the hand of my instructor!
But wait a minute!
In every circumstance of life, I’m also thankful for the hand of God.
Okay, we may at times wander from the perfect path He wants us to travel, but as long as we do not abandon Him – He will never leave us.
Yes, that’s right! When we walk into the thick of trouble, God keeps us alive.
He protects us.
Sure-enough, with His powerful hand He saves us.
Praise Him!
Amen?
Amen!