Tuesday, Oct. 5th Update from Joni

Tuesday, October 5th Update from Joni:

Normally I don’t talk a lot about my books on this blog, but I’m thinking twice. No book has caused quite the stir as my recent one, A Place of Healing. The day it went to press I learned I had cancer — I scrambled to amend the epilogue, and then the next afternoon I was in surgery. I’ve flipped through its pages lately, wondering if I’d change anything (like, Joni, you shouldn’t be shooting so fast from your hip with those Bible verses). But I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Although I was writing about chronic pain, I’ve found some powerful ‘aha’ moments that have blessed me through this cancer. 

I’m discovering that A Place of Healing is having quite a ministry. I wanted to fall prostrate after reading these words from Theresa: “In recent months I have followed your blog … I have spent 25 years in relentless pain from arthritis and now have constant migraines 24/7 which accelerate to being in bed for days completely incapacitated with pain for days at a time a couple times a month. I have cried and cried while reading A Place of Healing for several reasons. You point me to God. You understand. When I turn at night over and over, and get up and pace, and change the temperature a dozen times, I am reminded to pray for you who can’t do those things in your pain. … My heart aches to be the grandma to 17 and wife and mom and servant to others but God has other refining plans that bring me to the foot of the cross hourly. Thank you for fresh hope you have reminded me of, Joni. I am looking forward to one day, watching you dance in Heaven with Ken. My husband Andy and I will be so pleased to join you.” 

Proverbs 25:11 says that “words fitly spoken are as apples of gold in settings of silver.” That’s what Theresa’s words were to me.  Sometimes the most powerful encouragement is simply “I identify… I resonate… and like you, I’m at the foot of the cross hourly.” One more thing. Thank you, several of you, who have posted the most lovely poems — refreshing to read and soothing to the soul!