It’s coming! Next week is my favorite thing on Joni and Friends!
Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and if you are a long-time listener to this program, you know what I mean because next week we’ll be celebrating Heart for the Disabled week. It’s where I tell you about five special needs families with great stories (and great needs)! And then I ask you to write a Valentine's card or a note of encouragement to these disabled people and their family members. Because it’s been a long time since last summer’s Family Retreats… it’s January, it’s cold; when you have a disability it’s hard to get out… you know what I mean.
But you friends, all you who listen and take part in Heart for the Disabled, you would not believe what your note or card, poem or scriptures mean to these moms and dads and their kids! Last year some of you (and you didn’t have to do this, really), some of you sent homemade little gifts… a few of you, oh my goodness, even sent monetary gifts (you really don’t have to do that)… but our team here at Joni and Friends was very careful to make certain each and every card, note, and, yes, gift arrived safely to the family to whom you designated it. And you should have heard their reactions!
One couple wrote me an email afterward, Steve and Denise. They explained how they were really feeling down because their disabled child had contracted a bad infection and they were spending all of January and February running back and forth to the hospital. They were exhausted last year. Plus, insurance was running out and they were really stretched to the limit. And their church? Well… their little congregation was only able to do so much. They felt alone, like no one really understood. And then, on February 14th Steve and Denise were surprised to receive a big overnight package from Joni and Friends. What could this be? they wondered. They took it over to the kitchen table, opened it up, and tons of cards, letters, drawings, poems, Xeroxed copies of hymns, words to praise songs, bookmarks… all of it spilled out onto the table. The pile even flowed over onto the floor.
They were astounded. Especially when they began picking up a few of the letters from you… and suddenly, to this couple, you were not a stranger. You were a Christian friend assuring them of your prayers. And a few of you – bless your hearts – even included a couple of gift certificates to local fast food restaurants. They were astounded by your generosity. And you know what? All these notes and cards were God's way of reaching them at their lowest point. God used you to express His tender loving care to Steve and Denise when they needed it most – and it really warmed their hearts to know that you were praying for them.
It made a difference in Steve and Denise’s life… and next week, I want you to join me in helping to make a difference in the lives of five more special needs families. First Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Yep, I can’t wait to have you help me encourage these disabled children and adults and their family members next week – so please tell your friends to tune in, or you can follow along next week on my radio page at joniandfriends.org where I'll be posting all the details about each person with a disability and their family. Friend, you are the best. Really you are! I think this year Heart for the Disabled Week is going to be the best yet – so stay tuned next week, cause it’s all about encouraging and building others up in the Lord Jesus.
And once again let me remind you of our website, come by and visit us at any time… it’s joniandfriends.org.
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