Encourage children like Jaron, who patiently love a sibling with a disability, with words that build them up and affirm their goodness.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada. And little Jaron is the son of a good friend and colleague of mine. He is a bubbling 8-year-old who loves playing tackle football, basketball and he plays the piano. Well, Jaron is also the brother of Caleb who has autism. And I tell you; Jaron is such a good brother: helping Caleb reach for a cup of water or being patient when his brother struggles to communicate [Caleb is nonverbal]. But Jaron needs encouragement, too. And it’s why whenever I get a chance to see Jaron, I always try to give him words of affirmation and remind him of what a good brother—what a good boy— he is. Perhaps you know a kid like Jaron, a sibling of someone with a disability. If so, make an effort to speak words that “build him or her up” as 1 Thessalonians 5 says. And feel free to share this program with your friends and visit joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends