Early in my ministry—in fact, during my internship year—one of my responsibilities was calling on the “shut-ins” of our congregation who found it difficult to get out of their homes because of age, medical condition or other incapacities. I was very nervous and unsure of myself during the early days of this pastoral responsibility. I wanted to offer comfort to these parishioners but was uncomfortable about the whole process of such visitation. On this particular day I was feeling very inadequate and apprehensive…