Guest Blog from Joan Borton

Meet my friend and coworker, Joan Borton. She’s an amazing woman, wife, and writer — and best of all, she LOVES Jesus and has a real big heart for people with disabilities. Recently, I asked Joan to write as a guest for my blog — so here it is for your encouragement …

“The Joy of the Lord is my Strength.” This familiar verse from Nehemiah 8:10 is our Joni and Friends theme this year. I could not move through the tasks of ministry or life without drawing my strength and joy from God. Close behind is the joy that comes from sharing the last 20 years of life with Jerry Borton!

Do we throw our heads back and laugh with such abandon every day like we did this day at Family Retreat? No, the day to day realities of wheelchairs and van lifts malfunctioning, or Jerry’s body operating on its own terms due to his cerebral palsy can sometimes be disheartening. So how can I be joyful amidst the caregiving demands?

It’s really not a secret; as much as I give care to Jerry, he returns the same to me. The way we care for one another is different, but make no mistake — Jerry is not just the receiver of care. Whether it’s the time he stops to listen to me, the nightly foot massage, or going to the grocery store when I know he’d rather be watching baseball … our care for one another is mutual. Now that makes a joy filled marriage!

(Joan serves as the Program Manager for Joni and Friends Greater Philadelphia. For more of Joan’s blog posts, visit her blog at www.joanborton.com.)