God Is Providing Hope Through The Hardship Of Disability

By |Published On: September 28, 2021|Categories: Family Retreats, Marriage Getaway, Ministry|

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Joe’s spinal cord was severed when a tree fell on his back leaving him paralyzed. He was a young 30-year-old and had only been married to his lovely wife, Judy, for four years. After being air lifted to the hospital where he would spend months recovering from the accident, he wrestled with the questions that naturally come alongside crises like these.

“Why me, Lord? Why did this have to happen to me?”

While Judy carried the weight of seeing her husband through this traumatic event and also caring for their two young daughters, Joe struggled with the reality that he would never walk again. And to make matters worse, they overheard Joe’s nurses saying, “There goes another marriage destined to fail.”

Joe’s rehabilitation was a long, slow process that took its toll on both him and Judy. But God strengthened them and their marriage throughout the process, using Joni and Friends in remarkable ways.

As he listened to our Founder, Joni Eareckson Tada, talk about Family Retreat on the radio, Joe knew that God could use him and Judy to encourage other families living with disability, for Joe and Judy have learned the truth of Philippians 4:13 firsthand.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13

“Joe and I both have learned so much from Joni and Friends. We have learned the joy of laughing together, sharing tears together, worshipping together, and experiencing the beauty of people regardless of their disability or ability! Parents and caregivers are heroes who give of themselves so selflessly, and our volunteers restore our belief that serving others and the Lord is alive and active today!” explains Judy.

Judy goes on to explain that God has used Joni and Friends throughout the journey she and Joe have traveled. Her message to other families impacted by disability is this:

“You are not an island meant to do all things alone. Be kind to yourself, take care of yourself as your family needs you healthy and happy! God is faithful and will carry you through regardless of your situation.”

Joe echoes Judy’s heartfelt sentiments by saying, “You and your family matter!” While Joe never thought God would use disability to be such a blessing in his life, his involvement in our Joni and Friends Ohio Family Retreat and Marriage Getaway has helped him and Judy see that Joe is living his best years now! And he and Judy continue to give us a beautiful depiction of how we need one another in the body of Christ.

Now, after 37 years of marriage, Joe and Judy can faithfully declare, “God provides hope through hardship!”

A child smiling

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