AL: Joni, I know it’s your heart’s desire to help boys and girls understand that being disabled is not as horrible as it sounds…in fact could you maybe illustrate that reality for us?
JONI: Well, I’ll tell you a story I just shared with some boys and girls a couple weeks ago. It goes, “Once upon a time there was a kitchen drawer full of knives, forks and spoons.”
AL: Say what?
JONI: This is a kid’s story, Al, have a little imagination! Anyway, this was a group of disabled boys and girls I was telling the story to. They were all sitting around in wheelchairs and leaning on crutches, they were fascinated. They could tell this would be no ordinary tale. (AL: Um, I’m interested; tell me.) And so, I continued.
“In the kitchen drawer, amongst the flatware, there was one spoon all twisted and bent. He did not look like the others. That’s why the spoons in the drawer made fun of him, taunting him saying, ‘You’re no good… who’s ever going to use you?! Look at you! You’re so different!’ The little bent spoon couldn’t help but feel sad.” Well, Al, as I told the story and looked deeply into the eyes of these kids with cerebral palsy, sitting there bent and twisted in their wheelchairs, and I thought I saw in them a glimmer of empathy with this bent spoon.
AL: Sure. I just bet they could empathize with that bent spoon, being disabled themselves.
JONI: Well, “The little spoon looked a lot like this one,” I said as my friend held up my “spork,” that’s this feeding utensil I use with serrated prongs. Somebody inserts it into my handsplint so I can feed myself. (The spoon is kind of bent, but the angle is perfect for lifting food from my plate to my mouth).
Well, I continued the story: “One day the drawer opened and a big hand reached inside. Instead of choosing a shiny, straight spoon, the master of the household picked… the ugly bent spoon! The rest of the flatware were amazed. And as the bent spoon was lifted out of the drawer, he beamed with pleasure. He was about to be used by the master.”
The boys and girls giggled. They watched my friend place my bent spoon in my hand splint and they smiled to see me lift my arm to feed myself. And then I said, “Children, I would not be able to eat or feed myself were it not for this special spoon. Oh, it does not look normal. It doesn’t fit in the utensil tray with all the other straight knives and forks. But there’s no way I would ever want to ‘straighten this spoon out.’”
I tell you what, the kids sitting there were absolutely fascinated, especially the little boy with cerebral palsy. ’Cause they got the point: the Master loves choosing people who are different to do His good work. Jesus knows He can use us when He bends us to suit His will… He can best use us when we’re shaped for His special design.
Well, after I finished the story, my friend placed my bent spoon back in my handbag. But the lesson remained of God's love (as well as His purpose!) for all these kids, all these disabled boys and girls who look different. A twisted spoon… and the bent body of a child… all have a unique and special purpose when placed in the Master’s hand.
AL: Oh, Joni, what a great story highlighting the whole point behind our “On A Roll for Jesus” disability awareness kit ... we at Joni and Friends are committed to helping you help the boys and girls in your church and community learn how the Lord cares for people who are, well, maybe “different,” or twisted or misshapen in a wheelchair… especially disabled people overseas where there are so many needs, especially for wheelchairs. We’ve packed a lot of information, Scripture, craft ideas… everything you’ll need to give the children you know a genuine heart for missionary outreach to disabled people around the world. So call us today and we’ll send you a complete description of what “On A Roll for Jesus” is all about. Joni, how about that toll free number?”
JONI: Okay, friends can call today, at (888) 522-5664 for “On a Roll for Jesus.”
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends