thanks that he has vouchsafed me knowledge of his works;
deep thanks that he has set in my darkness the lamp of faith;
deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to–
a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song.
Helen Keller
I almost hate messing up the moment. I hope you will read this quote several times if you read anything from this post today. It’s a quote worthy of taking home.
I am amazed by Helen Keller’s story and even more amazed by this humble confession. As I read it, the word that of course stood out to me (and probably you) was the word vouchsafed. It definitely isn’t a word we use every day! I had to look it up, but when I did, it made me wish we could reinstate it into our every day vocabulary. These are the definitions:
1. to grant or give, as by favor, graciousness: to vouchsafe a reply to a question.
2. to allow or permit, as by favor or graciousness: They vouchsafed his return to his own country.
Helen Keller was humbly grateful that God had graciously given her knowledge of Him. How many of us feel that way? Are we humbly grateful for His grace? Do we realize it was only by His grace that we learned the story of Jesus, or has it become so every day to us that we take it for granted? I confess the second part of that sentence.
Why does it take pain and suffering for us to find Him? The strongest saints, deepest teachers, and most awe-inspiring faith builders I know have walked through deep valleys of sorrow. Many are still in those trenches, but their faith not only pulls them through, it brings a following with them.
Helen Keller is one of those heroes. Corrie Ten Boom. My friend Jeneill whose words hit home every time.
Who are your heroes who have walked through the fires of life and blessed your life with their faith?
Perhaps God used their testimony to vouchsafe the knowledge of His goodness to you.
Pass it on!
Much love,
andy
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).
