Literary Lessons
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I love reading books.
I mean, good books. And, since last week was National Read a Book Day, I’ve made a list of my favorite reads that I’ve posted today on joniradio.org. Over the years, God has used some incredible books to shape my life, and during this season of coronavirus, I’ve been refreshing my heart by rereading most of them. Now, I want to tell you about one particular book by first, sharing a story…
You see, it was years ago, I was sitting at a coffee bar at the mall with my friend Mary Jean; she was visiting me. Now, like me, Mary Jean almost never takes a break. This lady works really hard in Christian ministry. So, when she flew out for a relaxing visit, I thought it’d be fun just to kick back and do something normal. And that’s how we ended up at the coffee shop in the mall. We got as far as ordering caffe lattes outside of Nordstrom’s, and there we sat, sipping drinks, watching everybody stroll by. We talked about clothes and food, and eventually we talked about our Christian work. And since we were on that subject, I told Mary Jean about my friend Bonnie Young who was living at Magnolia Nursing Home at the other end of the Valley. I explained to Mary Jean that Bonnie’s neuro muscular disease, it had advanced to the point where, well, she has to lie in bed all day. And then I happened to say in passing, “You know, it’d be good if we could spend some time praying for Bonnie today. I heard she’s been depressed.”
Well, we sat for a minute or two, looking around, sipping our drinks and then, suddenly we looked at one another and said, both together: “What are we doing here?!” Well, we gathered our stuff, gave the nursing home a call. Yes, Bonnie was able to receive visitors. No, we would not be intruding. Well, all the way down the freeway, we sang worship songs until we pulled into the shaded driveway of the nursing home. We hurried down the hallway, and I found Bonnie’s room, the last one on the right. Boy, did her eyes light up when she saw us. She could not communicate much through her stiffened smile. But we talked, we laughed at jokes, read the Bible, told stories, enjoyed the birds chirping outside the window, and we prayed. At the close of our visit, I asked if she would like to slowly repeat with us The Lord’s Prayer. To which she nodded, yes. At the end of our visit, all of us were so, so, so encouraged in Christ.
Mary Jean enjoyed her visit with me, including a jaunt to the beach and an evening out at a nice restaurant. But the highlight was that marvelous chance to visit a friend in more humble circumstances than us. There will always be time to hang out at a coffee shop, but not always an opportunity to serve Jesus by involving yourself with a friend in desperate need. I share this story with you because it’s the kind of thing you’ll read about in a remarkable book by Brother Lawrence called “The Practice of the Presence of God.” Brother Lawrence preaches from Philippians where it says, “Consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Reading this very simple book will inspire you to do that kind of thing; the kind of thing Mary Jean and I serendipitously did that day. Consider the needs of others. Again, the book is “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence, and I have listed it at joniradio.org, along with other good books I’ve read. So, start caring. Start serving. And get reading from my favorites book list at joniradio.org.
By the way, I would love to hear what you are praying about or a favorite Bible verse that you are memorizing. Tell me about it. Just go to my radio page today at joniandfriends.org. Or you can always write me at Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376.
© Joni and Friends
Joni’s Favorite Books
Joni has assembled a list of some of her favorite books – books that have especially shaped her walk with Christ, refreshed her heart, and strengthened her faith. Take a look and find your next great read!
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