Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday November 21, 2007

Longfellow wrote something similar to: "If you knock at the gate long enough and loud enough someone will answer." A good saying designed to encourage people when they are at the point of giving up in despair. I know I have been on the doorstep of the castle of hope, knocking for the last time on more than one occasion, but just in time the knock was answered and the Lord brought me through.

I was reminded of the power of persistence just this week when out of the clear blue, Keith Reedy, founder and president of Bibles for the Blind and Visually Handicapped International called and talked with me about permission to publish my booklet, Christmas Reminiscence in Braille. I gave the permission immediately as one of the reasons I write is to reach as many people as possible with the message. Tonight (Yes I am at least 13 hours behind schedule today) Keith and his lovely wife Suzie knocked on the door, I let the dogs out and the Reedy's in and this godly couple who have overcome unbelievable odds came in and sat down and they presented two copies of the book to me in Braille. I actually fought back the tears as I looked at it. I have no idea of how to read Braille, but I am thankful that now anyone who is blind and wants to read the book can contact Keith or me and they will receive a free copy. I assure you each copy in Braille cost much more to produce than the printed copy.

Keith's story is a miracle one in that prior to conversion Keith was a blind character, played and sung his song in the honkytonks. He tells of the barroom brawls and how he used to hit other men with his guitar. They couldn't figure out that if they had been quiet he could not have hit them. He simply swung his guitar where the sound was coming from! During the Carter Administration Keith wrote a short best selling song in honor of president carter's brother Billy. The song was titled "Drinking Billy Beer."

And then Jesus walked into Keith's life. God called him to publish Bibles for the blind and offer them on a freewill offering basis. He has been doing this for over 20 years and trusts the Lord for the money and equipment to buy paper for use in Braille publishing by the tons.

Keith and Suzie have and are raising a fine family of eight for God's glory. It never crossed my mind that the Lord would use Keith to get this book out in Braille.

If you or one of your loved ones or friends would like a copy of Christmas Reminiscence in Braille, go to www.LarryLilly.com for the address or email me at the address at the top of this letter and I will see that Keith gets your request.

Tiffany over at the local print shop, Print Plus, worked out a gorgeous cover for the print edition. Keith told me he was sure she had, but the cover would not matter to the blind. Keith demonstrated the power of the book when he said, "Larry, a blind man cannot judge a book by its cover. I want the book in Braille because of what is inside." WOW.

People are lot like books and really cannot and should not be judged by their cover, but by WHO is inside.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit.

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