Wherever you go, remember who you are representing – the Lord Jesus. You get the privilege of reminding people that God is supremely good when life is hard. Pray for the ability to represent him well and to remain humble.
Hi, I’m Joni with a fun little trip down memory lane.
I don’t think I have ever gotten used to people actually showing up to come and hear me speak, honestly, really. I’ve often said, there are so many other people who suffer far more than I ever will, and they have so much to say, such incredible stories to tell. And they humble me beyond measure. So, like, who am I to wheel up to a conference platform? How was I picked to do that? How did I get that honor of sharing my testimony that way? I mean, even when speaking at all those Billy Graham crusades years ago, talking to thousands, I look back and I just can’t believe that I had the privilege of publicly opening my heart to all those other people who struggle. That was my attitude way back in the beginning in the 1970s, and you know what? It is still my attitude now. Thank you, God, for the privilege of representing your name at conferences, or churches, crusades, always reminding people that you are supremely good when life is hard. What a privilege!
I was reminded of this when an email arrived at Joni and Friends just recently; it was from a Reverend George Heckard. It was passed on to me, and when I read it, well, it was just so sweet I had to share it with you. And this is what he wrote to our ministry, he says: “While going through my bookshelf, I came across my 1977 [edition of the] Joni book, signed by the author, Joni. I saw her speak at the Hershey Evangelical Free Church [in Hershey, Pennsylvania] on January 30, 1977. That is where I got the book signed. But there is more. I kept the bulletin from that evening service [it was tucked away inside the autographed book]. Why did I keep it? Well, here is the rest of the story…
“[My] handwriting [in the book] says, ‘On January 30, 1977, [this bulletin slid from between my legs and onto the floor]. Joni ran over this Bulletin with her wheelchair. [When she realized this], she [stopped and] said, “Excuse me!” [I was pleasantly surprised and] I said, “That’s OK.”’ Now… I certainly wasn’t Rev. Heckard back then; I was just George. But I have kept that bulletin all these years because it was my connection to Joni, and her humility. In such a small and insignificant, actually accidental way, she left her mark on my life and my ministry. God continue to bless you, Joni and all the lives you have touched in far greater ways!”
Oh, my goodness. Now, yes, of course I remember speaking at Hershey Free Church in Pennsylvania years ago, but I cannot say I remember that little incident – you know, running over that bulletin with my wheelchair. I cannot recall saying “Excuse me” to George, embarrassed that I had put greasy wheelchair tracks on his program. But I can recall being in my early 20s back then and wheeling onto that church platform in front of thousands of people, the first time I’d ever shared my testimony in such a big, public way. And that night – and for hundreds of nights thereafter – I would remember the words of my mother and father. When they saw my sphere of influence growing, they wisely said, “Joni, remember your manners. Don’t ever forget who you are representing. I know you would never do anything to shame us… But more than that, never do anything that would shame the Lord.” And you know what? I remember their words to this day; and those words have been, for me, a path to at least some humility. That’s your good word today from Joni Eareckson Tada sharing hope.
© Joni and Friends