BODY BUILDING

Joni Eareckson Tada’s blog entry today...."His name was Tom. He was a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic in a big bulky wheelchair who sat next to me in occupational therapy.

I can’t say I was of much help to him. I was disgruntled and despondent, angry that I had to clench a pencil between my teeth in order to learn how to write."

Tom was different. Although he was more physically limited, his attitude was anything but handicapped. His bright outlook on life and cheery disposition about mouth-writing humbled me. There was no way I could keep feeling sorry for myself, especially when I saw how skilled Tom was with that pencil.

Observing Tom was just the push I needed during those early days of adjusting to my wheelchair. If he could handle it, I decided I could, too. Looking back, I thank God for the victories Tom gained. His perseverance was the best thing he could do to help me, a fellow patient. And I have scores of mouth-painted renderings to prove it.

Although Tom died shortly after we left the hospital, he gave new meaning to words such as inspiration, encouragement, edification, and building up the body."

One of the best things we can do for our brothers and sisters in Christ is to gain victory in our trials. We affect one another spiritually by what we are and do individually. And because there is an intimate link between us as believers, your failures affect others, while your victories inspire and encourage them. You may not feel one with the Christians around you, but you are one.

Taken from Diamonds in the Dust. © 1993 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530.