Keep telling people that Jesus loves them and keep reminding them of reasons to smile! Pray that the Gospel of Christ will have success in the hearts of people around the world.
Go to joniradio.org to see a picture of Andrew's stuffed hamster!
Not long ago, I got the sweetest care package.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and this package brightened my spirits so much that, well, I just have to share it with you. It arrived in the mail from eight-year-old Andrew, who listens to this daily radio program with his mom – bless your heart, mother, for encouraging your son to listen in every day! I’m so honored. Anyway, Andrew has autism, ADHD, and mild cerebral palsy and he knows the value of a warm hug with a favorite stuffed animal. In fact, this little guy loves to give away stuffed animals to anyone in need of a good snuggle. So it is no surprise that his package to me included a little stuffed hamster. His mother let me know that he gave it a kiss and a really good snuggle before he wished it goodbye and slid it into the package. In his note to me, Andrew wrote, "Miss Joni, this hamster is for you. Your friend can help you snuggle it. I mean Mr. Ken. He can rub it on your cheek. It helps when you are in pain.” Okay, right there was enough to make me cry and laugh. How would he know that his stuffed hamster would help when I’m in pain, except that Andrew himself experiences it too, right? I know children who live with cerebral palsy, and it can be painful. So, here’s a young man who has found a really good medication, a distraction from his own pain, and that is a stuffed animal; animals that he gives away. And, hey, who am I to turn down a gift like that? Next time I am in pain, bring me the stuffed hamster!
So, you can understand why this special package and Andrew’s little note brought such a smile. And I just love this boy’s heart because that wasn't all he sent in his package. Okay, so, I’m not going to cry here, but he tucked into the envelope 56 cents as a donation to Wheels for the World, including three teabags. What were the teabags for? Well, Andrew can tell that I often have trouble breathing here on these radio programs. I mean, you can probably tell it in my voice, right? And so, in the note he said, "[Miss] Joni, I think you need tea when your throat hurts. Can you come to my house sometime? I'll help you get your wheelchair in the door. Can I give you a hug?" Oh, and one more thing, in the package Andrew also included another letter that he was hoping that I could pass along. He wondered, given all the work Joni and Friends is doing to help disabled people in Ukraine, he wondered if I could please get his letter into the right hands. You'll see why I’m not able to when I read you his note. He says,
"Mr. Putin, Jesus loves you. Please stop fighting and give the Ukrainians their stuff back. You can have my picture. Will that make you smile? Love, Andrew." Oh my goodness, Andrew, if you're listening to this, I'm sorry I couldn’t get that letter to Mr. Putin, but maybe someone who knows him will hear about this and tell him. And just like you reminded me in your letter to "Please keep telling people about Jesus," I want to remind all my friends listening to keep telling people that Jesus loves them and keep reminding people of reasons to smile just like Andrew does! You've certainly done that for me, today, Andrew, if you’re listening. And I think you have done it for my radio listeners, as well. So friend, join me, and Andrew, and his mom in praying that this Gospel of Jesus Christ will have success not only in Ukraine, but in the hearts of the people in Russia. And who knows, maybe even Mr. Putin. Oh, by the way, if you want to see a picture of that stuffed hamster, I have posted it at joniradio.org. I know it would make Andrew so happy to know that you enjoyed his hamster, so go today to joniradio.org. Finally, I want to thank this station for granting me these precious minutes in which I can share hope through your hardship every day. And I do pray you’ve found my words hopeful today.
© Joni and Friends