Happy Birthday, Fanny Crosby 3-24-1820--2-12-1915

Image from Wikipedia

It would have been easy for her to do nothing.

At six weeks old, she caught a cold that led to inflammation in her eyes. A doctor prescribed mustard plasters for treatment. The treatment permanently blinded her.

When she was eight years old, she wrote:

Oh what a happy soul I am,
Although I cannot see;
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy,
That other people don't;
To weep and sigh because I'm blind,
I cannot, and I won't."

She later remarked:

It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.She also once said, "when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!"

It is estimated she wrote 8000 hymns in her lifetime. Among them:

Near the Cross

Blessed Assurance

I Am Thine, O Lord

Near the Cross

Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior

Her mother and grandmother raised her. They taught her scripture.
They taught her to be thankful for everything, even when the world lacks understanding.

More than a hundred years after her death, her songs are heard everyday, still blessing.

Thank you, Fanny, for choosing to be used.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on the day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

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