For better or for worse; in sickness and in health – and that’s a vow!
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and welcome to Joni and Friends and an update from my husband Ken.
JONI: Ken, thanks for joining me today in the studio.
KEN: Well, thank you for having me, Joni.
JONI: We’re kind of taking a break here… it’s been quite a regime, quite a routine with the chemotherapy, huh?
KEN: A new journey in our lives.
JONI: Absolutely, but you know, we are almost at the end of this journey. Chemo is just about behind us and you have been awesome, Ken. You have been amazing. When I think of those wedding vows that we made so many years ago – “in sickness and in health” – I tell you what, you have come shining through.
KEN: God is there! If that weren’t the case it would be very, very difficult…
JONI: …and giving you grace and encouragement every step of the way.
KEN: We had a number of things happen during this time that were kind of encouragements…
JONI: Sent straight from heaven.
KEN: Deuteronomy 31 – I always had a tendency to be out in front, and want to be the one that is leading, and I heard him say, “Just let me lead and be patient, don’t be afraid.”
JONI: And he’s been doing that, he’s been encouraging you every step of the way.
KEN: Can I tell you a story that was kind of interesting? It’s kind of difficult for me to even talk about this even though it was some time ago.
JONI: It was the evening before our friends came up and you were going to have to put out some patio furniture and that meant going into the garage and getting the cushions and…
KEN: I should explain that the patio furniture is on the other side of where the car is parked in the garage. So I got in and started the car up and wow, I hear your voice, and I started thinking, “I don’t have a Joni CD in here!” And I realized it was coming from the radio! So I thought, “Wow, I better go tell Joni,” but then I was thinking, “If I leave now I’m not going to be able to hear this,” so I’m sitting in the car, the engine’s on, I’m halfway out of the garage listening and…
JONI: What am I talking about?
KEN: Well, you know it was amazing, you were talking about caregivers and …
JONI: It touches me to see you get choked up, bless your heart!
KEN: We were doing a radio program on caregivers and you were actually talking about your mom and referring back to the time when you first broke your neck.
JONI: I know, she took such good care of me, and how we need to pray for our caregivers, huh?
KEN: Right! I mean, it was just… what are the odds of going out at that time of evening (and by the way, this particular radio station doesn’t air your programs at that particular time, normally) so to get in the car and actually hear that program, I think that was a God thing!
JONI: Ken, I think that was the Lord Jesus’ word just for you.
KEN: Oh, I believe that was true. The neat part about this journey is that we have had a number of these things happen. That is one that just stands out, but there have been other occasions where you realize that God’s hand is definitely on this journey.
JONI: Well, I know it’s hard and I know it’s a challenge both for you and it is has been a bit of a challenge for me, but I’ve drawn such encouragement from Hebrews 10 where it says, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God you will receive what He has promised.” Boy, what has God promised! Something pretty awesome on the other side of eternity, and I know that you have been so faithful to the Lord and faithful to me in honoring your wedding vows.
KEN: Well, Joni, you know it’s just a privilege to be able to do this. Oftentimes couples don’t have that opportunity to fall in love again and through this I just feel our love for each other has grown.
JONI: God bless you, Ken.
KEN: God bless you too, Joni. Love you!
JONI: Love you as well.
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