Wearing Glasses While I Preach

I had a hard time preaching this morning.

Anyway, after I had the initial surgery I could preach without glasses and do just fine. The real issue for me has been the ability to read the text easily and also to be able to read my notes. I solved most of the problem by using a giant-print Bible and by printing my sermon notes in 14 point type–or sometimes larger. But I’ve noticed in the last year that my eyesight has been degrading a bit. I think it’s mostly because I’m not in my 40s anymore. I notice it when I go to a restaurant and can’t read the menu clearly.

When I’m alone I wear reading glasses, as I am at this moment. I would have a hard time writing this entry without them. So I’ve gotten used to reading glasses. But when you don’t wear glasses all the time, it’s hard to remember to take them with you. I suppose I could get one of those cords that people put around their neck so that the glasses rest on their chest when they don’t need them, but that would make me look like a librarian. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Recently I’ve had more trouble seeing my notes and reading the text when I’m in the pulpit. So last night I had my glasses and used them. Actually I found myself putting them on and off and sometimes holding them in my hands while I was gesturing, sort of like an absent-minded professor.

This morning I forgot my glasses (maybe I should go for the librarian look after all) and found myself struggling to read my notes and the text during the sermon. You want your notes to help you. You don’t want to be squinting at your notes because they look blurry to you.

I think there really is no option left but to surrender to the demands of reality. It’s time to take my reading glasses with me when I preach. Vanity of vanities, and all that. It’s one more sign that I’m not as young as I used to be–but when I was truly young I always wore glasses so I guess I’ve come full circle.