Every Sunday morning, Richard’s fingers flow over his double-sided embossed braille sermon manuscript, resting on his pulpit. His short pauses and ability to reword his notes, make his reading undetectable to newcomers.
Richard is thankful he answered God’s call into the ministry, but as with many, his journey to answer the call took years.
Blind since birth, and becoming a Christian in high school, it wasn’t a tough decision when marrying, for Richard and Lila to agree on the importance of raising a Christian family and attending church.
Knowing he could provide for a family with his music, and not go on disability, filled Richard with a sense of accomplishment. Since age eight, he had been playing country and western music with his brothers on radio and television. At fourteen, he performed at night clubs also.
“I really didn’t trust God to have me provide for my family any other way at this time in my life,” Richard commented.
Richard wasn’t your normal country and western musician. He did not smoke, drink, or womanize. He even played at local nightclubs and restaurants so he could be a better family man.
One day, his pastor noticed a newspaper article highlighting Richard’s profession. This opened the door for a conversation between the two of them.
“This isn’t right,” the pastor spoke evenly as he rested his hand on Richard’s shoulder. “You can’t go from singing hymns at church to the bars singing about whiskey and wild women.” He then opened the Bible to James 3. “Let me share a passage with you.”
Richard’s body tensed as he heard these unfamiliar verses. His shoulders relaxed as he thought it through, knowing this was right.
The next twelve years were full of misery, denial, and justification. More than once, Richard attempted to barter with God. “If You’d let me make enough money playing at revivals, I’d quit the clubs, and serve you.”
Richard continued to play at revivals, before heading off to the nightclubs afterwards to provide for his family. One night, God grabbed Richard’s attention again, bringing him to a point of decision.
Disgruntled with Richard’s attitude, the club owner marched over to Richard. With a puffed-up chest puffed and fists curled into tight balls, he yelled, “Richard, if it wasn’t for these people coming out here and drinking, and poking money into these machines gambling, you wouldn’t have a job.”
Richard’s eyes widened.
The owner pointed his index finger at Richard’s chest and added, “You need to entertain these people. Now smile and have a good time,” then stomped off.
Richard yelled, “I can’t work for you anymore!” Peace now came over him after making a decision to trust the Lord as His provider. Richard knew in his heart God’s ways were far better than the worlds, and now he had the boldness to act on it.
The Next Step
Richard decided to answer the call into ministry by entering seminary with the Southern Baptists. The Louisiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind purchased Richard a new computer, printer, and braille embosser, and some training to assist his studies.
Accustomed to using a typewriter, a Perkins Braille Writer, and people to transcribe his braille into assignments from his days at Louisiana public schools, he was both thrilled and perplexed with the technological advances of his new toys. He instantly discovered a new love.
While studying, God enabled him to supplement his income through odd jobs, and through generous, kind people. Richard obtained his license, and a ceremony was held.
To his surprise, and delight, many workers and patrons from the club he left, attended. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Richard announced before preaching, “I apologize for giving you mixed signals for all the years we worked together. Please forgive me. I have made a decision to follow and serve Jesus totally.”
Due to his blindness, no one knew for sure what God had in store. Richard sought the Lord in prayer, asking Him to show Him what to do.
Seeking Employment
To start, Richard contacted a job consultant friend of his to search for computer jobs.
She called back, “An internet service provider is hiring technicians. By the way, you’re going to need to know support for Windows ’95.” Then, she brought nine floppy discs by for him to install and learn over the weekend, before Monday’s interview.
Whether he was a fast learner, God was with him, or both, his hard work paid off. Hired on the spot, this job lasted 28 months before the company was bought out. Another job was promptly found in Florida with developers of the first computer screen reader for the blind.
Within a week, Richard and Lila found a mobile home park in which to live. An exception was made to the “55 and over” rule when learning Richard was a minister. The park manager even invited him to lead a Bible study for residents. He accepted.
This lasted for eight years. Then, his wife and himself lost their jobs within the same week.
A Move and Answered Prayers
His daughter looked for jobs. She found one for a computer repairman . . . in Texas. An interview scheduled and airline tickets bought, the company phoned to cancel the interview. The boss said, “We’re not interested since you are blind.”
Infuriated, their daughter shouted discrimination to state officials. While Richard and Lila were trying to decide what to do with their tickets. The phone rang again. The interview was rescheduled.
Their other daughter called to ask Richard if he would be interested in preaching at her friend’s church while there for his interview. She explained they were looking for an ordained Southern Baptist Minister. He agreed.
Richard was denied the computer job, but after preaching, and looking at the next-door parsonage, the board unanimously voted him to be their pastor. God had a plan, and fulfilled it . . . in spite of Richard’s blindness.
God has a plan for your life. He will direct your path if you trust Him enough to allow Him to guide you with each step. Blindness might not be your obstacle, but are you willing to surrender what is stopping you from answering your call?
© 2021, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
Barbara Spencer says
A remarkable story of tenacity and courage something I have long associated with the particular ethos of an American upbringing – marvellous.