Welcome to "Joni and Friends" where it’s all about serving the Lord. Hi I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and as you know, we serve a lot of children with disabilities and their families through Joni and Friends. But we just couldn’t do it without people like, well… Becky. I remember when Becky first began volunteering at our Family Retreats. She had just graduated college with a degree in special education, and she felt certain God had called her to serve with us that summer – after all, she’s the one with the degree in special ed, right? Right! Well, Becky sailed right through orientation that first day – she knew the ropes; she had the facts. But when Monday morning arrived and families began flooding onto the campus, oh my goodness! Becky was in for a surprise. By nightfall when the last special needs family had arrived at our retreat, this young woman was wiped out. She saw us assign four volunteers to one teenager with severe autism; he had a serious explosion disorder, and his poor parents had arrived exhausted – they were never so happy to see us lend a hand; no, rather, eight hands. This really shook Becky up watching that young man with his explosion disorder when she saw him have a meltdown that night after dinner. She told me later, “Joni, I just wasn’t prepared for such brokenness… so much pain, so many needs! Like that kid with autism. I don’t know how his parents manage it!”
Isn’t that something. Even with her college degree, she felt ill-equipped for the severe handicapping conditions she observed in the kids. That first day she felt unskilled, and even a little afraid. I said to her, "Becky, are you certain God called you here?" "Yes," she replied, and I could tell she meant it. “And are you happy with your education and training in special ed?” “Yes, of course,” she replied. "Then I have a verse for you," I told her. First Thessalonians 5:24 says, "Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass." In other words, "Becky, God's calling is your enabling. If he called you into special education, He’ll resource you… and if He called you to volunteer at this Family Retreat, He will enable you… so get out there and do your best ‘cause God is giving you enablement." And you know what? She did. And she did a great job.
Now I realize that our season of Family Retreats is over, and I'm not putting out a call for you to volunteer. But I know, I just know there is some act of service, some responsibility God has placed on your heart for which you might feel ill-equipped. Maybe God has called you into something, and you’re downright fearful of it. Well, hold onto I Thessalonians 5:24. Faithful is he who calls you; and he will bring it to pass! Remember His calling is His enabling; if He has brought you to it… then He will bring you through it. And through it with a smile.
Listen, our ministry may not be in need of help at our Family Retreats right now, but we do have Wheels for the World trips heading out this month and next – Ghana, Haiti, India, Peru and Jordan. And with each wheelchair we distribute, we’ll be giving the salvation message of Jesus Christ, as well as a Gospel bracelet. Would you like to have a couple of Gospel bracelets to give to the children in your life? Or maybe you could wear one to spark a conversation about the Good News? I'll be happy to send you three Gospel bracelets in the mail – when we finish here, just go over to my radio page at joniandfriends.org and ask for your Gospel bracelets. And may they be a reminder to you today that God's calling is your enabling!
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
©Joni and Friends