No matter what your hardship is today, you can find a way to make your hard road to Calvary a little smoother, whether through great or small efforts. It could be a notable act of service or something as simple as waving from your driveway like Joni’s friend David.
https://ktul.com/news/local/parkinsons-cant-stop-tulsa-man-from-making-people-smile
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada here to share hope in your hardship.
You know, God never intends that our walk with Jesus be easy, and breezy, and paved with comfort. No, that’s not the way it is when you follow Jesus down the long, hard road to Calvary. It’s why Hebrews 10 says, “Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for he who is promised is faithful.” So friend when the road is hard, when trials pile on and when your walk with Christ is filled with disappointments, don’t give up; be resolute. Hold fast to your hope. God is faithful; and his grace will help you live well and live joyfully.
I’d like to tell you about a man who is doing just that on his long, hard road and yet he’s holding resolutely to hope. His name is David; he lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s seven years ago when his wife, Kim, noticed he was dragging his foot. David quickly declined and their lives came screeching to a halt. He was no longer able to work on a regular basis and as much as he loved basketball, he had to let it go. A devoted husband who cared for his family, suddenly, David was the one who needed help. Help with everything: getting dressed, brushing his teeth, you name it. His strength and abilities kept deteriorating, and finally, he landed in a wheelchair. But David was not one to give up.
And so, every afternoon he pushed himself down his driveway to simply wave at people passing in their cars [he and Kim live right across the street from an elementary school, so lots of cars are always coming and going]. Every afternoon he is out there on the driveway, waving as best as he can. It’s his ministry. And now? People look forward to seeing David, they honk their horns and they wave back. They even go out of their way to drive down his street, just to be blessed.
And then, elementary kids in their school buses got in on it. One of the drivers says that the kids always ask if they can stop to greet their driveway friend. Other bus drivers slow down so students can lean out the window and yell and wave hi to David. Some yell, “I love you!” and others yell, “Thank you!” And a couple of elementary school girls have called out, “I want to marry you!” And most recently, they’ve started to call him “Daddy.” Wow. David blesses those who pass by his driveway whether it’s a wave of the hand, he gives a salute, or maybe a tip of his hat. He says, “It’s good to see people smile.” And then his wife adds, “It’s more than just something for David to do – it’s a way to reach out and bless people.”
You see what I mean? David and Kim are resolute. They are holding onto hope. They are trusting in their faithful God. And so, no matter what your hardship is today, you can find a way to make your hard road to Calvary a little smoother, whether through great or small efforts. It could be a notable act of service or something as simple as waving from your driveway. And, hey, on joniradio.org today I’ve posted a brief television news clip on David and Kim so they can encourage you. Take a minute to watch their story and be inspired by this remarkable man and his wife. They are such a great example of making the best of a very difficult situation. I know I was blessed by watching David’s story, and I know you will be, too. So, take a look at joniradio.org and share David’s newsclip with a couple you know who are struggling to deal with a tough disability in their marriage. It’s all there for you at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends