Happy Birthday to Me!
Seventy years ago today, I was born to John and Lindy Eareckson who, incidentally, were anticipating a boy (after having three girls). They were so sure of this, they already had named me Johnny after my daddy. They happily changed the spelling to Joni when I arrived on October 15, 1949!
Decades later when I broke my neck in 1967, NEVER did I think I would reach the age of 70. Back then, it was statistically impossible for me, a quadriplegic! So, last week, I looked up the number “70” in the Bible to learn its significance. And was I amazed!
For instance, Jeremiah 29:11 has always been a favorite, but look at the verse right before it: “This is what the Lord says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Although I have spent most of my 70 years in “captivity” — that is, in a wheelchair – God has come and fulfilled His good purpose in my life, for I can fully see His plans! Spiritually, He has prospered me and given me this future filled with hope; never once did His plans harm me (that is, cause harm to my soul). I share a few thoughts about this and more in this short video clip.
“Oh, Jesus, keep me going so that I can reach many more people with disabilities and their families for Christ!”
So, as I round the corner into my 70’s, I have every confidence that my future days will be filled with more than enough hope. My prayer? “Oh, Jesus, keep me going so that I can reach many more people with disabilities and their families for Christ! Keep me healthy in my wheelchair so I can spread your Gospel to more special-needs families who need to see your plan in their lives. Keep me going so I can give your hope and help to people around the world who are struggling under the weight of suffering!”
And my prayer for you? That you join me as I wheel into the future… join me in giving the hope of Christ to many more disabled people! And you can do that by ‘donating to my birthday’!
So, turn up the brightness on this special day. Together, let’s complete the plan God gave me so many years ago; let’s give the Gospel to those who need Jesus the most!
–Joni Eareckson Tada
Alzheimer’s Disease: Help and Hope for Caregivers
When Susan Wahlers learned her husband Dave was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, their life was thrown into disarray. As they struggled with the progressive disease, friends faded into the background, caregiving became consuming, and Susan wrestled with loneliness, discouragement, and exhaustion. But God authored a transformation in their life, even as Dave’s health declined.
