In April of this year, I visited my endocrinologist for my quarterly diabetes checkup. He said I was past due for my eye examine. I tried to get in with my regular ophthalmologist but was unable to wait weeks for an appointment. I visited a new doctor. After the consultation he asked me and my wife to come into a meeting room. The news we received was not good. I had developed peripheral retinopathy. That’s a long word for “I was going blind.” The blood vessels were not caring sufficient blood to the retina, and the damage was significant. He proceeded to write a new eyeglass prescription for me.
His office also made me an appointment to go to a specialist for retina treatment. The retina hospital requested previous eye-examination reports so they could compare the changes in my eyes. I prayed that I could get into the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville FL. I was looking for the best possible outcome and treatment. I only confided in my children and one other person. I own a business and didn’t want people speculating until I knew the full scope of what I was facing. I contacted my previous ophthalmologist for the information. And they scheduled me an appointment, but it was six weeks away.
I went by to pick up my previous exams and meet with the ophthalmologist. Instead of a consultation, he scheduled me for another examination. At the end of the exam, he confirmed what the previous ophthalmologist had diagnosed – with one exception. He pulled back away from me and smiled. I was puzzled by his look. Then he told me what was happening. He said, “What I see in your eyes happens in less than 8% of patients.” My eyes were growing new, healthy blood vessels, not little spider veins which is the typical case. I left there rejoicing. My wife and I stepped outside and just wept with praise for what God had done.
I returned to work and met with a couple of my employees. I explained to them what I had been dealing with over the last couple of months. Dave, my lead engineer looked at me and said “So, how does it feel to have Jesus rub mud in your eyes?”
Praise God Jesus is still healing today! In John 9: 6-7 we read the account of Jesus’ interaction with a man who had been born blind. “When He had said this, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and applied the clay to his eyes, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So, he went away and washed, and came back seeing.”
Not only were my prayers answered but I received treatment that was far greater than anything I could have received at the Mayo-Clinic! Thank You Jesus!
John Swonger – CBC Executive Board member
