Many of us do not know the name Fannie Crosby. But most of us know her work. Here’s a few titles that may help us know her: "All the Way My Savior Leads Me", "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine", "Christ the Lord is Risen Today", "God Be with You ‘til We Meet Again", "He Hideth My Soul", "Jesus is Tenderly Calling You Home", "Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior", "Tell Me the Story of Jesus", "To God be the Glory", and many, many more of the best known hymns of the church.
At six weeks of age, Fanny Crosby was blinded, but even as a youngster she determined not to be confined by the chains of darkness. In time, she became a mighty force for God through the many thousands of hymns and Gospel songs she wrote. Her focus was this: when you have the single mind of purpose, you look on your circumstances as God-given opportunities for the furtherance of the Gospel; and you rejoice at what God is doing and what God is going to do instead of complaining about what God did not do or what you do not have.
Someone once asked Miss Crosby about how she could write such beautiful hymns and be blind. She answered that she knew with no doubt that when she dies here on earth and wakes up in heaven the first thing she will see will be the face of Jesus her Savior. The same is true for Deaf. When Deaf die here on earth and wake up in heaven the first thing they will hear will be the voice of Jesus saying, "Welcome Home". People with physical challenges will throw away their canes, their walkers, their wheelchairs and they will stand straight and tall and walk or even run with Jesus into heaven. Isn’t that a glorious thought?
For this to happen, all people must accept Jesus as Savior. Let’s keep the cross in front of us as we bring God’s message of salvation to ALL people we meet. Remember, every person we meet is an opportunity God gives us to talk about Jesus and glorify Him.
When Fanny died, her tombstone carried the words, "Aunt Fanny" and "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine". That says it all.
Remember every day to lift up the Deaf Café stage team and support team by name. Pray for people to accept Jesus as Savior. Never stop having an attitude prayer. Have joy in all situations, Glorify God in all you do. It is Him that we serve willingly and obediently.