Hear this insightful interview between Joni and her good friend Margaret as they talk about the beauty of turning the big 100! You may learn a thing or two.
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JONI: Hi, I’m Joni of Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Well, I have a very special, very special friend in the studio today. My good friend Margaret Sanders. Welcome Margaret.
MARGARET: Oh, thank you Joni – always a privilege to be here.
JONI: I first met Margaret when her husband Al Sanders, more than 45 years ago, cast a vision that I could be on the radio. That I had something worthwhile to say. And so, she and her husband Al have been champions of this radio ministry from day one over 45 years ago. And for that, I am so very thankful Margaret.
MARGARET: Well, you are so welcome. Joni, you know how much I love this ministry too and what a joy it’s been for us to be supportive and pray and support this wonderful ministry. Thank you for that.
JONI: Oh, thank you. And I want our listeners to know, that you are 100 years old!
MARGARET: Well, who knew!
JONI: Who knew!
MARGARET: God numbers our days so that’s what I think about.
JONI: Yup, He does number them and also in Psalm 92, I’m thinking of how you still bear fruit in your old age. You are full of sap and green. You declare that the Lord is upright. And I think that’s wonderful that you still are bearing fruit in your old age. Because every time, I’m with you, I learn something new.
MARGARET: Oh, my goodness.
JONI: You are the most amazing person when it comes to keeping a bright attitude.
MARGARET: Well, my favorite word is joy. And even though there are the valleys not as deep as yours by any means, but the wondering what God has ahead – I never experienced such grace until really until after Al died. I realized this is unmerited favor – the joy that God gives me. There are many things to be thankful for.
JONI: Now, your eyes are getting wet as you’re talking about joy. And you mention Al, your husband who passed away some years ago. But that is what marks your life – joy. Is this joy the blessings He’s given you? Is this joy looking ahead to heaven?
MARGARET: Exactly. Years ago, I chose and I hope I can quote it correctly. Numbers 23:19, “God is not a man that He should lie, neither is the son of man that He should repent, as He said and shall He not do it, and as He has spoken and really not make it good.” And I just love that promise that you know His word is faithful. There’s so many different versions nowadays you can twist it a smidge. It would still be true, but whatever He is, is truth. He promises joy and that’s what it is for me. Grateful for His goodness to me.
JONI: Well, you’ve mentioned many blessings. You’ve got an incredibly supportive family, you’re in great health, I should say. You just had a heart operation at the age of 99, that’s incredible! And it looks like that heart’s going to keep you pumping for I don’t know how many more months, years?
MARGARET: Who knows and to think 100 – that’s just something wrong with that. No one ever knows the years that the Lord will give them, and I certainly didn’t expect that number for me!
JONI: What advice, seasoned advice would you give to young Christian women?
MARGARET: Looking back over the years, there’s so many things that go into the Christian life and a commitment to the Lord. But people have talked about a long marriage and putting Him in the center of your home, committing to serving Him. And the joy for us, was to serve the Lord together in some measure along the way and enjoying music we have and knowing that God is ruling our lives, committing ourselves to that.
JONI: That music you hear is Margaret playing in her nineties – that’s incredible! And I still love to hear you play on that so, thank you.
MARGARET: Well, you are so welcome.
JONI: Margaret Sanders fun to celebrate your birthday here at Joni and Friends.
MARGARET: Thank you so much!
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