According to Greek legend, Homer, nearly blind, wandered from city to city most of his life inspiring people with his magnificent poetry.

I'm no Homer, far from it. But I've often identified with that romantic picture of the nomadic life. I've been nearly blind since my birth in 1916, and in my thirty-eight-year ministry, I've served thirty-five different churches as interim pastor. I haven't inspired those churches with magnificent poetry, but I discovered that God heals sick and suffering churches, and he's used me in some of those healings.

I don't know why he's used me in this way. I didn't choose the life of a church doctor. From a natural standpoint, I just stumbled into it. After seminary, I had two regular pastorates in 1944-46 and 1948-49. Like all young pastors, I was inexperienced and fearful. But I liked to preach, did it fairly well, and always had a love for people that made me a natural counselor.

Still, something was lacking. Was my poor eyesight too much for the people to ...