At just 10 years old, Christopher Duffley has a gift that mesmerizes, encourages and inspires all at once. Yesterday at church as he stood before us singing Open the Eyes of My Heart it was as if all of heaven stood still and took notice. Christopher was singing his heart out to God, and God in turn was filling him with His love. It was the sweetest communion I had ever witnessed. You just felt better being in the midst.
To hear Christopher’s story is to know that miracles still happen. Born prematurely to drug addicted parents he was placed in the foster system until his aunt and uncle found him and brought him home. Several months later they would find out that he was blind; a few years later, autistic. It could not have been easy. But they chose to love him, and in doing so shared with him their love of God and of music. At the young age of 4 he began to sing – before he could even talk. His first song was Open the Eyes of My Heart – an amazing testimony for a child the world believes cannot see. Since then he’s learned to play multiple instruments and has what they call perfect pitch. I don’t know about you, but I am blown away by how perfectly God has used him in his weakness.
I left church filled with so much hope and determination that I just had to share it with you. If Christopher can be all that God has called him to be despite the challenges, why can’t we? He refuses to be limited by a past that he couldn’t control, a present that is less than what we deem ideal, or a future that is at best, uncertain. He is simply living each day to the fullest. What do you suppose would happen if we let go of all the things we couldn’t control and just lived?
I tell you one thing, I have a lot less excuses of why I can’t do something than I did before yesterday morning. Christopher was such an awesome reminder that with God, anything is possible. No matter what came before or what is ahead, God is with us in this moment. Our obstacles don’t mean a thing to Him. Just trust, and open the eyes of your heart so that you can see Him.
I hope this video of Christopher inspires you as much as it did me. Peace and Blessings!
I believe that this boy will see again, if not on this earth then when he walks into the pearly gates of Heaven, his eyes will open and he will see our almighty amazing God, what a first sight Christopher will see on that day. Bless Him
Amen, Donna. Amen!
Wow. I am in awe. Sometimes we get so focused on what’s going wrong, or could be going better, that we forget to look around and thank God for what we have. This was truly a blessing and inspiration! Thanks for sharing!!!
Ain’t God good?!? You can’t help but be humbled and grateful for the wonderful way he is able to use just what we have and make it more than enough! Thanks Carlie!