When I was younger, I watched a show on television about blindness. I remember thinking how sad it must be to never be able to see a beautiful sunset or the face of a loved one. I caught myself actually feeling sorry for them, but then I heard something that I've never forgotten.
One of the women stated that because her eyes were disabled, her other senses and features were enhanced. She could hear better than most and smell scents that many other people would never notice. She was actually thankful for her blindness.
Since then, I've wondered at times if there are things in life that I have missed because of my ability to see, even though I am thankful to God for my vision and the wonderful memories I have of things that I have seen.
I also wonder if I have a false sense of independence. 
Have you ever participated in the trust-building exercise where one person is blindfolded and another person is responsible for guiding the first to a certain spot without him or her tripping or walking into something? The first person is completely dependent on the second. Without the blindfold, the first person could find the spot alone. Blindness often calls for guidance, but perfect vision often depends on no one.
Fanny Crosby understood dependence.
When she was just six-weeks-old, Fanny got an infection that was made worse when a phony doctor poured hot poultice on her inflamed eyes. She became almost completely blind, only able to distinguish day from night.
But – just as the woman on television proclaimed – Fanny's blindness stimulated other gifts and abilities. She had an incredible memory and was able to recite whole sections of the Bible, including the Pentateuch, the four Gospels, and all of Proverbs.
Perhaps it was her knowledge of the Word that comforted her in times of trouble. One day in 1874, Fanny went to God in prayer about not having enough money to pay her rent. Shortly after, a stranger came to her door and handed her ten dollars – exactly the amount she needed. That night, Fanny wrote the words to "All the Way My Savior Leads Me." (Click here to listen to Chris Tomlin's version.) Although the hymn was written after that specific incident, it undoubtedly represents her lifelong testimony.
While many of us might view blindness as a disability, Fanny viewed it as a gift from God and even once said that if she could meet the man who caused it, she would tell him that he unwittingly did her "the greatest favor in the world."
Are we that dependent on Christ to supply our needs, no matter what our supposed disability may be? I pray that we can become "blind" enough to see our need for Him.
This song has always been a great encouragement to me. There is nothing like looking out at the congregations singing this song together, knowing everyone is going through various trials in life, yet still trusting in God. What a great origin of the song too.
Thanks for the post!
Fanny J. Crosby, has remained my song writer, and I will forever be graceful to God for the inspiration she had. ”All the Way My Savior Leads Me.” is a song that reminds me that it is only in God and Him, alone, must I put my trust, and He will never put me to shame. I have been disappointed plenty times by men and women, I have had to put my hope on for certain personal issues…but for all the times I have trusted God for something, He has never failed. Therefore I can ever join in singing…”All the Way My Savior Leads Me.”