Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and God blesses me in the most unusual ways.
Oh, He really does. 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 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 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 needed a fresh surge of energy.
Well, I was sitting there in the filming studio feeling weary and tired, waiting for the next video interview when suddenly our campus escort asked if one of their wheelchair students at Liberty University 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 helping his disabled master. Melody told me his name was Buddy and when she let Buddy go, you know let loose of his leash, guess what?! That dog trotted right over to me, curled up and sat down and leaned back up against my wheelchair. Buddy looked up at me with big brown eyes and I melted. He seemed to understand that I had fallen in love with him, because the next thing Buddy did was rest 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 so true isn’t it? The Lord is constantly looking for ways to bless us, and for me, Buddy and Melody provided a wonderful break in my busy day. God wanted to 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, and so blessed by God.
I think if our yard were big enough, 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. We’ve got information and other resources on service dogs at Joni and Friends so check it out today at joniandfriends.org. Oh, and while you’re on my radio page, check out the this really fun photo of Buddy and me. We’ve also posted a couple of other photos of topnotch service dogs. It’s all there to bless you at joniandfriends.org.
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