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INSIGHT

Together, with God, when it’s tough

Tough times bring you close together, says KEN TADA, husband of Joni Eareckson Tada

I’ve never done this before. I’ve never followed in my wife’s wheelchair tracks and written an article for her, but I especially wanted to do it this time. This is a special occasion. Joni recently arrived home from the hospital where she survived a struggle against double pneumonia.

Back in February Joni contracted a bad cold, and despite steam treatments, lots of fluids, rest and Vitamin C, it moved quickly into her chest. After two solid nights of constant coughing, we knew she needed to go to the hospital. I’m glad we did. The emergency room x-rays showed that Joni’s lungs were seriously congested.

The doctors diagnosed Joni with double pneumonia when a day later they saw that both lungs were filling with fluid – that’s when they ordered extra breathing treatments. But Joni was a trooper. She followed doctor’s orders and kept up with her medications.

Those nine days in the hospital were extremely difficult for my wife. I have to admit, they were difficult for me, too. I felt so helpless, unable to do much for Joni except to press on her abdomen which enabled her to “get” a good cough. (The nurses kept laughing, saying that they were going to charge me for “wife abuse”). In turn, I stayed at the hospital every night, making sure she had someone to be her “muscles” when she needed help breathing. Finally, they sent her home.

We were so relieved to be home! Quadriplegics like Joni have limited lung capacity, and many don’t live through such an ordeal. This is why we are praising our Great Physician, the Lord Jesus for replenishing Joni’s strength. Obviously God has much more work for her to do. (Although while she recovers, I’m filling in a bit.)

And God has much more work for me to do, too. Soon, my wife and I will celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary. For all these years, we’ve shared a marvellous ministry and mission together. And please underline that word together because I have a new appreciation for what that word means.

You see, Joni and I were never more “together” as a married couple than when she and I were battling against her pneumonia in the hospital. One would think that a feeling of “togetherness” would best happen over a candle-light dinner or a romantic vacation. But isn’t it just like God to strengthen our unity, deepen our commitment, and breathe fresh romance into our marriage through, well ... dealing with pneumonia in a hospital?!

Joni and I were talking about it the other night. I am stronger when I help her as I support and stand beside her ... plus, she is stronger when she’s “wheeling close” to me, praying for and encouraging my efforts. It’s a perfect picture of Ephesians 2:22: “And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

Yes, my wife and I have many more tasks to tackle, many more travels to take, and many more prayers to offer before the Throne. Until the Lord takes one of us home, we are a team together. We take our lead from Psalm 34:2-3 where it says: “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”

I’m not pretending that we are “experts” when it comes to marriage advice, but I will say this to any couple going through tough times – it’s amazing how God always reveals himself to us when we come together, needing him desperately. It’s amazing that when we are at our lowest, when we are feeling like we can’t go on, the Lord always shows up. And Jesus Christ, the breath of life showed up at Joni’s hospital bedside every day and every night. And we both – we both together – drew on his grace. Our marriage is richer and better for it.

I’m looking forward to many more days of life together with my quadriplegic wife. She’s a gem! And I can’t wait until heaven when we will see the eternal results of our work as we’ve exalted his name together!

Ken Tada worked in teaching and education for 32 years before retiring to work full-time with Joni and Friends’ work around the world

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		INSIGHT Together, with God, when it’s tough Tough times bring you close together, says KEN TADA, husband of Joni Eareckson Tada I’ve never done this before. I’ve never followed in my wife’s wheelchair tracks and written an article for her, but I especially wanted to do it this time. This is a special occasion. Joni recently arrived home from the hospital where she survived a struggle against double pneumonia. Back in February Joni contracted a bad cold, and despite steam treatments, lots of fluids, rest and Vitamin C, it moved quickly into her chest. After two solid nights of constant coughing, we knew she needed to go to the hospital. I’m glad we did. The emergency room x-rays showed that Joni’s lungs were seriously congested. The doctors diagnosed Joni with double pneumonia when a day later they saw that both lungs were filling with fluid – that’s when they ordered extra breathing treatments. But Joni was a trooper. She followed doctor’s orders and kept up with her medications. Those nine days in the hospital were extremely difficult for my wife. I have to admit, they were difficult for me, too. I felt so helpless, unable to do much for Joni except to press on her abdomen which enabled her to “get” a good cough. (The nurses kept laughing, saying that they were going to charge me for “wife abuse”). In turn, I stayed at the hospital every night, making sure she had someone to be her “muscles” when she needed help breathing. Finally, they sent her home. We were so relieved to be home! Quadriplegics like Joni have limited lung capacity, and many don’t live through such an ordeal. This is why we are praising our Great Physician, the Lord Jesus for replenishing Joni’s strength. Obviously God has much more work for her to do. (Although while she recovers, I’m filling in a bit.) And God has much more work for me to do, too. Soon, my wife and I will celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary. For all these years, we’ve shared a marvellous ministry and mission together. And please underline that word together because I have a new appreciation for what that word means. You see, Joni and I were never more “together” as a married couple than when she and I were battling against her pneumonia in the hospital. One would think that a feeling of “togetherness” would best happen over a candle-light dinner or a romantic vacation. But isn’t it just like God to strengthen our unity, deepen our commitment, and breathe fresh romance into our marriage through, well ... dealing with pneumonia in a hospital?! Joni and I were talking about it the other night. I am stronger when I help her as I support and stand beside her ... plus, she is stronger when she’s “wheeling close” to me, praying for and encouraging my efforts. It’s a perfect picture of Ephesians 2:22: “And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Yes, my wife and I have many more tasks to tackle, many more travels to take, and many more prayers to offer before the Throne. Until the Lord takes one of us home, we are a team together. We take our lead from Psalm 34:2-3 where it says: “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” I’m not pretending that we are “experts” when it comes to marriage advice, but I will say this to any couple going through tough times – it’s amazing how God always reveals himself to us when we come together, needing him desperately. It’s amazing that when we are at our lowest, when we are feeling like we can’t go on, the Lord always shows up. And Jesus Christ, the breath of life showed up at Joni’s hospital bedside every day and every night. And we both – we both together – drew on his grace. Our marriage is richer and better for it. I’m looking forward to many more days of life together with my quadriplegic wife. She’s a gem! And I can’t wait until heaven when we will see the eternal results of our work as we’ve exalted his name together! Ken Tada worked in teaching and education for 32 years before retiring to work full-time with Joni and Friends’ work around the world © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.