I AM BLEST

I hope you will not be turned off when I state that this is about me. I will hasten to explain. In my childhood I was troubled with what in my adult years I self diagnosed as rheumatic fever. Then while I was a student at MU, I was hospitalized with a severe case of scarlet fever.


About three years later, when I was a married man and an expectant father, it occurred to me that some insurance might be appropriate in case my young wife should become a widow. My trip to Dr. Durst was not encouraging. His report to the insurance agent resulted in a denial to my application. The trouble was my heart. However, the agent left the matter on hold with suggestion of another examination. This test was much the same as to results, but the doctor suggested that I might just be an exceptional case - and perhaps a lot of people have had that impression! The insurance agent really wanted to make a sale, and after all, the policy was only $1000. So we closed the deal.


Things went on pretty well for a while. Then about three years later while teaching a class at KCCBS, I had some sort of attack and chest pain. I dropped in my chair and leaned on my desk waiting for the thing to pass. Someone came to my assistance and took me to my residence there on campus. Dr. Grayson was called. He did his examination there at the house. His words as near as I can remember, were, "It's your heart. If you have any insurance, be sure and keep it up, for you can't get any more." I still think that pretty strange, but it was pretty convincing. This doctor turned me over to a grand old heart specialist who had offices in the Country Club Plaza and also in Bell Memorial Hospital. I mention the this last place especially because so many of our KCCBS students of the "old days" have memories of those days. However, many, if not most have already gone beyond the river.


At the close of the school year, we moved to Bynumville in North Missouri where my wife's parents lived and where I still pastored. It was a very quiet summer for me. I was advised by everyone to take it easy. While Still on campus, my three year old son would urge me, "Don't run. Just walk" when I left for the class room. And that was about 66 years ago!


Gradually, things came back close to normal with good help from family, and especially from the Lord. In 1957 I was sent by our mission board on special assignment to Jamaica. This tour lasted for one month. Now, my chauffeur there was the late Bro. Mauck, who, you will remember was slow of speech. However, when he got behind the wheel, got beyond all that. If they have any speed laws down there, they haven't been made public, and all of those people drive on the wrong side of the road. It's a British thing. M heart stood the test, though a few times it seemed to be dislocated and lodged in my throat!


The next year I spent one month on a mission trip to Bolivia. Eight more trips followed this one. I will forego any attempt to describe the roads there, for you wouldn't believe me. We went over passes at about 15,000 feet elevation and around sharp bends where; if you went over, you would land about a quarter of a mile below. There were no warning signs, and no guard rails. All of this wind-up is to praise the Great Physician for His restorative and healing power that has helped me to pursue His call to service.


The Psalmist wrote, "He restoreth my soul," and that's good. But when He rebuilds worn physical equipment and permits one to minister into the ninth decade of life - well, that' double good! That's all bonus.