If you’ve never heard, read, or seen Joni’s story (yes, there’s even a movie about her amazing life 🙂 ) you need to get to know this phenomenal woman and her faith in God!
Talk about Eternal Perspective!!!!
 Click to visit http://www.joniandfriends.org/
Ask yourself:
What if you suddenly lost your mobility? What if you became paralyzed from the neck down and had to have people brush your teeth, help you get dressed, help you go to the bathroom?
Many would say LIFE isn’t worth Living unless____________- (you fill in the blank). Some would shout “It’s the QUALITY of life that counts- I’d rather be dead than be “disabled” or “less than” who I used to be.”
Would you want to call it quits? Would you pray- “Dear God just take me home?”  Would you ask, “Why me?”
After a diving accident which left her paralyzed, Joni struggled with the questions of the meaning of her life as a paralyzed woman?Â
Why was she alive? Why did God allow this to happen? Why do bad things happen to people? What was she supposed to do with her life now that she was “less than.”? Her honest musings and authentic searching yielded a mother lode of treasure that she willingly and graciously shares with everyone who asks the question, WHY?
She exemplifies that God values every life and HE is the One who gives purpose & meaning-
that’s QUALITY.
From God’s perspective, no one is ever a “castoff” or a “less than”. There is a plan for something glorious- it may not be now- it may not be in this lifetime- but He is a glory making God and Love never fails!
He is the Great I Am- the All Sufficient One who Knows and Sees! He has had a plan from the beginning to restore the broken and redeem the lost. He is working out His great plan through every circumstance, every situation, every broken life!
He always, always, ALWAYS takes our weakness and it becomes His glory!
Joni has a world wide ministry.
- Wheels for the World Sending the gift of mobility and the Gospel message worldwide.
- Family Retreats Retreats for families that live with disability.
- Television Series Each episode highlights God’s goodness in a world shattered by suffering.
- Radio Program Joni Eareckson Tada shares encouragement and Biblical insights.
- Christian Institute on Disability Higher education, ministry training, and Public Policy Center.
- Cause 4 Life, Global Missions & Internships Internships that provide ministry training with hands-on experience.
- Response Provides encouragement, information, and resources to people with disabilities.
- Church Relations Equipping churches for disability ministry.
- Special Delivery Ministry A simple way to share the love of Christ with people affected by disability.
- International Outreach Heightening disability awareness and training worldwide.
- International Family Retreats Providing Christian retreats in other nations for families affected by disability.
- TeamMED Outreaches addressing medical, dental, and rehabilitation issues.
- Total Access International outreach teams that focus on accessibility construction projects.
She has learned to paint beautifully gripping the paint brush with her teeth!-
check out her prints for sale or her boxed Christmas cards she paints every year!Â
click here- Christmas Cards by Joni
Joni Erikson Tada- Green Pastures
 She has authored over 36 books!!!! Each one a veritable Treasure Chest of riches!
*A personal note-
When I was devastated by tragedy and my faith was shaken, I began to read and glean from others whose tragedies and trials far surpassed anything I had ever suffered! (remember Job?)Â Joni is one of those people- what has been allowed to happen in her life has become a glorious instrument of encouragement and faith in the hand of a loving Heavenly Father who is committed to the eternal perspective of making all things new!
 Surprising Treasures: II Cor. 12:9 “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
Cindy’s readers from Galesburg IL will remember Annetta Davis. Annetta attended Brown Ave. Church of God and after we moved to the new building, Harvest Church of God. Annetta had spinabifida and was born paralyzed from the waist down. Annetta is with the Lord now. She passed away after our move to Lawrence. I picked her up for Sunday worship for years. We visited often. I remember one time she told me that in her dreams she was always able to walk and run. “Do you think I will have legs that work in heaven?” Annetta asked me. “Oh my goodness yes,” I told her. “Oh goody,” she said. “That’s what I thought God has been saying to me.” I love the song by Big Daddy Weave, “Dancing with my Father God in fields of grace…” Indeed.
What a life of remarkable contribution! I have to share.