Don’t you love it when God gives you a little surprise?!
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and you know, God does it all the time in my life. Like not long ago when I was speaking at Liberty University back in Virginia. I knew it was going to be a busy day and so I was up early to prepare to speak at their morning chapel service. Believe me, I never take it for granted when a university or a Bible college asks me to address their students – I am still so humbled to think that they would entrust to me such a special responsibility. Anyway, 10,000 students were there and right afterward, there was a tour, then a luncheon engagement with the academic dean, and then a planning session for a follow-up conference on disability ministry… and then a video interview… and I tell you what, by 3:00 in the afternoon, I was bushed; I was beat.
I was sitting there in the filming studio feeling so weary and tired, waiting for the next video interview, when suddenly our campus escort asked if one of their wheelchair students from Liberty could come on the set to greet me. Well, I never turn down a request like that, so in wheeled a young sophomore named Melody in her power wheelchair and walking beside her was her assistance dog – a beautiful yellow Labrador Retriever wearing a little blue vest that signaled he was a working dog helping his disabled master. Melody told me his name was Buddy and when she let Buddy go, you know let loose of his leash, that dog trotted right over to me, curled up, and sat down with his back leaning against my wheel. Buddy looked up at me with big brown eyes and I melted. He seemed to understand that I had fallen in love and so the next thing I knew, Buddy had rested his chin on my knee – he kept glancing up at me every once in awhile to see if I was still in love with him. Melody couldn’t have been happier that her assistance dog had taken such a liking to me – I told her it must be my new style wheelchair.
While I chatted with her, I was amazed that Buddy never stopped leaning against my chair. And so I kept stroking his forehead – I couldn’t feel my hand on him, but it was the only way I could return the affection to this darling yellow lab. Melody seemed concerned that Buddy was getting his yellow hairs all over my black slacks. “Are you sure he’s not being a bother?” she asked. “Bother?” I said, “Believe me, I’m not kidding: God sent both you and your dog at just the right time. I needed some energy; I needed a boost; I needed a blessing.” And you know, friend, it’s true. I’m convinced the Lord wanted to provide a wonderful break in my busy day; God wanted to give me rest and brighten my afternoon and show me some sign, some little small indication of his presence, his joy, his favor over our ministry that day at Liberty University. And Buddy was no less an angel in disguise, because just being with him I felt so revived, so refreshed, so blessed.
You know, if our yard were big enough, I think Ken and I would get an assistance dog like Buddy. In fact, you may know someone with a disability who could benefit from a friend like this yellow Labrador Retriever… and there’s no better time to bring the subject up because this week is National Assistance Dog Week – isn’t that great? We’ve got information and other resources on service dogs at Joni and Friends so check it out today at joniandfriends.org. And, oh, while you’re there, you just have got to see this wonderful photo of Buddy with his paws on my lap, leaning up and licking my face – what a cute dog! We’ve posted this photo on today’s radio page at joniandfriends.org, so please don’t forget to drop by joniandfriends.org and get a laugh.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
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Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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