My wife and I had some business in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. We noticed with interest some sights that would seem very strange in Pantego, North Carolina. Among these were the many horse-drawn buggies. In every case, the horse’s bridle was fitted with leather eye shields, called blinders, to block the horse’s peripheral vision. There are things on the streets of Lancaster that are better for the horse not to see.  

We appreciated that the folks of Lancaster sought to protect themselves and their horses by shielding their horses’ vision. We wondered if these people also take measures to protect themselves by shielding their own vision. We did not see any humans wearing blinders, yet as we traveled through Lancaster, we did see things around us that would be better for a person not to see.  

Wouldn’t it be good for people to have blinders to guard their eyes from the blatant immodesty that abounds today? Or how about blinders for our wide-eyed children when we walk past the electronics section or the magazine racks at the store? We could even use blinders in our homes. As the poet says, “Let me be a little kinder, let me be a little blinder, to the faults of those around me.” Yes, blinders like that would be useful indeed.  

On second thought, most of us do wear invisible blinders. These blinders can cause husbands and wives not to notice one another’s good points. Blinders can cause a father not to notice the crying heart of his son. Blinders can cause a mother not to notice that her daughter is yearning to ask a sensitive question.  

May the Lord give us crystal clear vision where we need it, with wisdom to shield our eyes when it is necessary.  

Purer in heart, O God, help me to be; 
May I devote my life wholly to thee. 
—Fannie Estelle Davison 

From Paws on My Porch, by Gary Miller
© 2015 TGS International, PO Box 355, Berlin, Ohio 44610
Used by permission