Mixed Blessings
We find ourselves dealing with lots of mixed blessings this year as our lives took yet another unexpected turn on the day before Thanksgiving this year when our excessively thirsty Daniel tested positive for diabetes.
That brings our family tally to three children diagnosed with Type 1 — two this year and one more than a decade earlier — all during major holidays. What are the odds?
Daniel took the news like a real trooper, although he has since somewhat heartbrokenly asked, “Mommy? When do I get to stop having diabetes?”
The answer is that, unless a cure is found, he will have it for the rest of his life.
I think it is significant that Daniel’s diagnosis came at a time traditionally set aside for counting blessings and giving thanks.
It’s easy to express gratitude for obvious graces like warm homes, good jobs, sound minds, and full bellies, but Scripture bids us count it all joy when we encounter hardships, as well.
"My bretheren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing this, that the testing of your faith, worketh patience unto you" - James 1:2-3
Rejoice? In the middle of a fierce storm that threatens to capsize us? Do you wonder if that’s truly possible?
It is. And we can do it because we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that our Heavenly Father loves us and can be trusted, even amid tragedy, to work all things together for good.
"And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28
So this year, as our family gathers to count God’s abundant blessings, we are also thanking Him for His purpose and plan in allowing into our lives some things we would never have willingly chosen for ourselves—things like diabetes and miscarriage and broken bones (five of them in five different kids!).
But God is good. All the time. All the time, God is good. And we can see His hand of mercy at work even now.
Won’t you join us in offering up a sacrifice of praise this season–even for mixed blessings?
Bless your heart! We have 11 children 2 diagnosed w/ diabetes. Our 13 yo son diagnosed after Thanksgiving before Christmas 12/19……. The diagnosing doctor at our rural hospital had 8 children, 2 with Type 1, how great is our God that He would see to it to put someone right there that understood on such a personal level? It just so happens that the son that was just diagnosed was born the same day his sister was diagnosed 14 years ago! God’s grace is more than sufficient!! I am grateful that brother & sister can encourage one another. I’m not sure I know another family that can understand the competitiveness of before meal numbers or A1C results, it’s certainly added a dynamic I never could have imagined! I’ll pray for your family, please pray for ours as well!
I will, Melisa! Wow! That must have been a roller coaster day 14 years ago. I can’t imagine giving birth to one child and receiving such a diagnosis for another, all within a 24-hour time period. But you are right. God’s grace is sufficient, and the siblings are such an encouragement to one another. That’s a blessing, too.