Joni Eareckson captured my attention in the mid 1970's. The story of Joni (sounds like Johnny) breaking her neck in a diving accident in 1967 is tragic, but very inspiring. The moment her neck broke she lost so many things in life, including the use of her legs and arms. But she gained so much more in the way of becoming an instrument in her Creator's hands to share the love of God to a broken and hurting world.
Here is a small sampling of what God has done in and through the life of Joni Eareckson Tada:
In 1979, Joni starred in the movie Joni about her life.
You can learn more here about her disability since the movie.
She has also become a:
Here is a short art interview with her husband Ken Tada.
She is the founder and leader of a ministry called Joni and Friends.
They minister with a special focus on those with disabilities.
She has a radio program.
And Joni is a singer too. A song she sang for a recent movie and was nominated for an Academy award for best song … almost. The nomination was taken away from her because … ? Listen to Joni talk about it here.
And if all that isn't enough, Joni is also a breast cancer survivor.
Why the clouds and butterfly in the picture? I recall Joni many years ago speaking about being discouraged and praying for some encouragement from God. Then after her prayer she'd see a butterfly flit by. She took that little encounter with a butterfly as a gift from God and ever since then she uses the sighting of a butterfly as a reminder to set her thoughts on things above and not on her circumstances. She said she'd be in the most out of the way places and there would be a butterfly to help remind her to look up and not at herself.
Joni has surely risen above her circumstances through the grace of her Heavenly Father and she looks forward to the day when she will stand before Him in His presence.
Colossians 3:1-4
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment