Hi, this is Joni and it’s sure hard to miss my friend, Holly Strothers. And I’ll tell you why…this girl is beaming and beautiful, 25 years old. I met her when I saw Holly racing around our Family Retreat like a whirling dervish, spreading her brand of embracing unconditional love and joy to whomever was within arm’s reach. Now Holly is tiny for her age, 25. She walks – and sometimes running – with the help of crutches. Holly’s spina bifida is far from what defines her, though. In fact, she was not attending the Family Retreat as a camper having spina bifida; no, this young woman had signed up to volunteer, all because she wanted to show other kids with disabilities that they could do whatever they dreamed of doing. I heard her tell one young girl in a wheelchair, “It may take time and patience, but you can do it and God will build your character through the struggle. I know he will.” Boy, that wisdom coming from a twenty-something disabled girl. Amazing!
Until very recently, Holly co-facilitated a transition program at Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, Texas. She was there equipping children with spina bifida and their parents to move from a hospital environment into the challenges of the “real” world. It’s what she loves doing! Her whole life, all she’s wanted to do is just encourage other people…especially children and other kids on crutches. She said to me, "Joni, I want to serve as a living example for these kids, so that they are going to be okay when they leave the hospital; that they will succeed." It's interesting because Holly first learned about Family Retreat from a woman in her late 50s named Ellen who had spina bifida and walks on crutches. And what do you know. Ellen was there inspiring someone like Holly. So I guess it's one generation passing the baton of encouragement on to another.
Holly draws a lot of inspiration from the story of David in the Bible. And I think you can probably understand why. When we think of the way David slew Goliath, it's clear that one's youth doesn't have to be a detriment -- in fact, it can be a real advantage, right? When someone is young and disabled like Holly, they’re a prime candidate to receive the outpouring of God's grace. And it is why Holly boasts in her affliction. It’s why she delights in her infirmity and glories in her weakness: she’s convinced, that the amazing power of her great God and Savior will especially rest on her.
And friend, the same is true for you. And you don't even have to have spina bifida or use crutches or a wheelchair. I want you to be inspired by Holly and so I need you to come and visit me today at our radio page to meet Holly yourself (this girl is so beautiful... you don't even see her disability). But don’t take my word for it; watch her share her own story right on my webpage at joniandfriendsradio.org. What Holly has to say is so sweet, yet it’s so powerful... in fact, this is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month and if you know someone with this particular disability, or if you know the parent of a child with spina bifida, you've just got to tell them to go visit joniandfriendsradio.org to watch this video of Holly. It’s going to encourage them so much.
And finally, friend, please remember you can boast in that affliction, you really ought to try delighting in your infirmity, and glory in your weakness – God tells you to do so in 2 Corinthians 12:10.Because that way, you will experience the same Spirit-inspired power that my friend, Holly, receives from the Lord every single day… power that’s hand-tailored and heaven-sent just for you. So until next time, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and don’t forget to visit me today – and Holly – at joniandfriendsradio.org.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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