Jesus is the friend who sticks closer than a brother. You are his hands and feet to reach others with his love, so look for ways to be a good friend today.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I’ve got hope to share.
Georgia is a single mother caring for her son, Terrell, who is 39 years old. Like, now, don’t gloss over that fact too quickly, ’cause Georgia is single and she cares for her 39-year-old son who is paralyzed, uses a wheelchair, he cannot use his hands, and also has a limited ability to speak. Terrell uses a feeding tube and has struggles with his body temperature. Bless his heart, this man has spent his adult life in and out of hospitals with all sorts of problems. As you would guess, Georgia and Terrell have lots of needs and I’m so grateful that, recently, a local church renovated their home to widen the doorways, especially to Terrell’s bedroom. Before this, Georgia had been carrying her son into his bedroom every day. Talk about sacrificial love! But Terrell and Georgia both have a strong, vibrant faith, and Christ’s love radiates through their smiles. And Terrell just has the best smile – you’ve just got to see this guy’s joy! I posted a photo of Terrell and his mom on joniradio.org today.
Now, we have been able to connect with Georgia and Terrell through our Joni and Friends team in Mississippi. And I’m so glad because this mom and son thrive on their friendship with us. Joni and Friends Mississippi bends over backward to serve families like theirs. In fact, Georgia and Terrell love attending the – now get this – it’s the barnyard dance put on every year by our Joni and Friends office in Mississippi. Now this is something I want you to picture. ’Cause here you’ve got this hefty 39-year-old guy in a wheelchair, right? Can’t speak, can’t use his hands, and there he is, out on the big dance floor under the barnyard roof having the time of his life, his mom swinging and swaying him in his wheelchair, this way and that – it’s ale-mand left, swing your partner, and do-si-do with a big, bulky wheelchair. And when Georgia gets a little tired, Joni and Friends Mississippi has lots of volunteer-helpers ready to chip in and be Terrell’s dance partner. Terrell loves the country music, the dancing, and even the barnyard animals. He and his mom look forward to the annual barnyard dance every year. In fact, nearly 1000 people have attended the annual Mississippi barnyard dance and that’s a whole lot of special-needs families like Georgia’s that are being ministered to. Again, you’ve just got to go to joniradio.org to see what I’m talking about.
Proverbs 18 says there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. And that’s what we strive to be at Joni and Friends, especially our team in Mississippi. Today is National Nonprofit Day and I say “kudos” to our Mississippi staff and volunteers who are being the best of friends to others through Joni and Friends. And since we’ve been talking about friendship this week, I don’t want you to miss out on your chance to get your gift today. It’s Garrett Higbee’s mini-book called “Helping a Hurting Friend.” Ask for your copy at joniradio.org because it provides such practical, helpful pointers on how to be a good friend – what makes up a good friendship, how you can tell if you’re being a good friend to others, and how to keep and make friends. Garrett Higbee has much more to say on the subject, so let me send you his booklet. Go to my radio page at joniradio.org and request “Helping a Hurting Friend.” It’s my friendship gift to you. And, hey, if you want to learn more about our Joni and Friends outreach in Mississippi, I’ve also posted a link at joniradio.org. Get involved with our area ministry outreach at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends