Seeing

 

Even after a full semester, the young 7th grader, who I will call Anna, didn’t seem to have any friends.

She said didn’t mind and felt anxious around people.  

I rotated her through groups and she would participate as directed but rarely smiled, although she didn’t seem particularly sad or distraught either.   More of an acceptance that this was her life.

She didn’t ever talk back or ask questions but she also didn’t complete assignments quite right.  Her other teachers also said that she didn’t follow directions well.  

I was patient.  Building trust.  With her and within our classroom.  This had to be a safe place to share the hard parts.

And two months ago she finally told me.  She couldn’t see the board.  

As in she couldn’t read it without getting within 6 inches of the board! I immediately emailed our school nurse who gave her a screening.  When I asked Anna she said that the test was fine.

But the troubles persisted and finally I reached out to her mom and explained my concerns were that her vision was severely impacting her school success.  

Mom replied immediately.  She hadn’t understood the referral sent by the nurse a month ago.  She thanked me profusely and scheduled the appointment.  

And on Wednesday Anna walked in, no longer hunched over but standing straight and looking around nervously with a pair of deep blue glasses framing her pretty brown eyes.

“Oh Anna! You got your glasses! And you look so cute!”

I saw the first smile of the year.  A smile that went ear to ear.

“Is it normal for the stairs to look like they are moving?”

“Yes, your eyes are adjusting to how things really look and not how you thought they were.  Be patient and hold the rail tight and you will soon be fine.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Potter! It’s like everything is bright and clear and I can see it.”

My heart was literally bursting with joy for this girl I had been working so hard to help. 

We all learn and experience the gospel path a little at a time.  

And sometimes our experiences, trials and new learning from the Holy Spirit can adjust our gospel perceptions and the stairs can “look like they are moving”.  

But if we hold onto the rod and keep going, even if it’s slowly, we will adjust and be stronger and better able to help others.

Elder Neil L Andersen taught that there are three aspects of the iron rod, or the word of God: (1) the scriptures, or the words of ancient prophets; (2) the words of living prophets; and (3) the power of the Holy Ghost.

President Packer emphasized the rod of iron as the personal revelation and inspiration that come to us through the Holy Ghost. He said: “If you hold to the rod, you can feel your way forward with the gift of the Holy Ghost. … Grasp the iron rod, and do not let go. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, you can feel your way through life”.

That new perspective can be unfamiliar and uncomfortable at times.  But oh, what  vision it offers! 

As my sweet friend learned, she can now even see her classmates’ faces and tell who is who! Just imagine the way our world changes when we all see each other through heaven’s lens.