National Cowboy Day

By Joni and Friends|Published On: July 29, 2019|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and tomorrow, the 30th, is a special day.

Because it was on July 30th that I took that dive into shallow water and broke my neck. And no doubt about it, it was a tragedy. An active, athletic 17-year-old girl shatters her spine and was told she would never walk again. And back then, my faith just wasn’t strong enough to rise above such a bleak prognosis. They told me I’d be sitting in a wheelchair for the rest of my life without use of my hands. And, boy, did I sink into depression.

Now, in the hospital, there really wasn’t much that stirred my interest. But I kinda liked going to occupational therapy. At first, I recoiled when they told me I’d have to learn how to write and type – and maybe even draw – holding a pencil between my teeth. I hated the idea. But when I watched others (others who were more disabled than I was); when I saw them take on the challenge, well, I felt bad for not at least trying, so I decided to join in. Now, the very first time I tried drawing with my mouth, I wasn’t sitting up in a wheelchair. I was still lying face down on a Stryker frame, counting the tiles on the floor. But that didn’t bother my occupational therapist. She moved a little table under my Stryker frame, right below my face – my head was being supported by a cushioned frame – and on that table, she placed an oval-shaped slab of damp clay. Then, she put a wooden dowel into my mouth, and I clenched it with my teeth, and she said, “Draw something. I’ve heard you like horses, so, draw one of those.” I thought she was crazy; I mean, sure, I was a bit of an artist before my injury, but that’s when I had my hands. But I gave it a try. And so I dug into the wet clay, an etching of a cowboy on a bucking horse. And when I finished it, my occupational therapist was stunned. “You have real talent,” she said.

And for the very first time, I realized that my head and heart weren’t paralyzed. Just my body. I still could create. I still could “do” something – and that’s what kick-started my career as an artist, drawing with my mouth. My OT placed that oval-shaped etching into a kiln, and I kept that hardened clay as a reminder, an inspiration for all the drawings yet to come. And I still have that clay drawing on display at our Joni and Friends International Disability Center. I’ve posted a photo of that special little etching on my radio page today, and I’d love for you to see it. Just go to Joniradio.org and take a look, and maybe share this story and that piece of artwork with your Facebook friends who like to draw. Maybe it’ll inspire them?! It’s been the story of my life for the last 52 years of my quadriplegia – finding ways to use what gifts God has given me to encourage others to do what they can with whatever God’s given them, no matter if it’s great ability or small. 1 Peter 4:10 says that, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as a faithful steward of God.” Did you hear that? God’s given you a talent and you are to faithfully steward it by using your gift to serve others. So let’s get at it; let’s do it!

And let me serve you and celebrate the anniversary of my diving accident at the same time. Take a look at that clay etching I did of a cowboy on a bucking horse at Joniradio.org. And hey, after all – today is National Day of the Cowboy, so why not?! Visit me and tell me your story about your gifts at Joniradio.org. And one more thing. We at Joni and Friends would love to pray for you and your troubles, so, share with us your prayer need today at JoniRadio.org.