Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and welcome to Joni and Friends. And the person you’re about to meet knows a lot about trouble. And some would say she’s asked for it. What do I mean by that? Well, let me have Kandis, a single mother with three children, tell you about it. Welcome, Kandis…
KANDIS: Hello, Joni!
JONI: I’m so glad you and your children enjoyed attending one of our Joni and Friends Family Retreats this past summer. But please explain what I mean when I say that you’ve invited “trouble”…
KANDIS: Well, people would say that I took on a tremendous burden and I would beg to differ with them. The Lord has given me such an amazing blessing in my two children with special needs. I have Hannah, who has cerebral palsy, who I adopted at three months old, and Jeremiah her biological brother, who basically has ADHD with sensory integration disorder and requires a psychotropic medication. I am the cherished person at the church, but in society they look at my children as being a burden, and according to the Word of God I don’t see them as a burden, I see them as a blessing. My kids have not been an issue at all. Society has burdened us in terms of their inability to see us as whole people and the discrimination in the church troubles me greatly. When you come to church on a Sunday morning you do expect that the body of Christ will rally around you and ask you if you need anything. I have yet to hear anyone from previous churches say, “Would you like us to come over and help you with your laundry, or is there any way we can serve you?” That’s very hurtful.
JONI: But are you in a good church now that reaches out to you and your family?
KANDIS: Oh, my church now, they are amazing. In fact, Joni, you were very instrumental in me locating that church because I looked on your website and I put in my zip code and the particular church that I am involved with now was one of the churches that your website recommended.
JONI: There you go!
KANDIS: I am so grateful!
JONI: Kandis, I know you received the biggest blessing from attending Family Retreat with your kids. How has it made a difference in the life of your family?
KANDIS: Oh, my goodness. If it wasn’t for those five years, every year that we could look forward to, I’m not sure with all the doctor’s appointments and all the therapies and visits to emergency rooms and all of that, I’m not sure that our family would be able to handle the daily living, the pressure, but my kids are marking off – okay it’s 300 days until Family Retreat again. The staff, they are just amazing. The fact that I don’t have to cook for five days, I think that has something to do with it. The food is just amazing!
JONI: And the fun and the fellowship…
KANDIS: And the spiritual, oh my goodness. I do want to tell you that I’ve been on 10 cruise vacations and this does not compare. This is the best time, it is heaven on earth.
JONI: Joni and Friends Family Retreats better than a Mediterranean cruise. I like that!
KANDIS: Absolutely, any day!
JONI: Well, friend. Would you like her perspective? Then I want to send you a copy of my booklet “God’s Word on Disability” which will really underscore just how big of a blessing can be uncovered in the midst of the toughest of disabilities. Write for your free copy today or you can always go online at joniandfriends.org. And Kandis: God’s blessings.
KANDIS: God bless you.
JONI: Okay, bye.
KANDIS: Bye.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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