Why I’m Thankful for Diabetes

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

ALL circumstances.  Give thanks when things are good and when things are tough.  That’s part of what The Joy Before Me Challenge is all about.  Not forgetting about the blessings amidst the chaos and the difficult and the mundane.  Paying attention to the ways God loves on us in our every-day.  I thought it’d be appropriate, on Thanksgiving, to make my list specifically about diabetes.  Because there’s something to be thankful for in ALL circumstances.

• Diabetes has brought out some beautiful qualities in our little girl.  She is brave.  She is compassionate.  She is strong.  She is confident.
• We have an amazing support system in our friends and family.
• We’ve made new friends in the community of families living with type 1 diabetes.  There is an instant bond between t1d parents…we get each other.
• Our marriage has been through a lot, and I think we’ve come out better on the other side.
• We recognize and appreciate the value of a good night’s rest more than we ever have!
• I have a better understanding of what my brother has dealt with since he was in middle school…and have SO much admiration for how he has managed it.
• Diabetes is annoying, frustrating, consuming…but it doesn’t, and won’t keep Mackenna from doing anything she wants to do in life.
• We’re using a LOT of the math we learned in school!  Fractions, ratios, decimals, add, add, add.
• God has been near, really really near.
• This blog…a blessing to me, hopefully to you…would not be what it is, if it were not for the journey diabetes has taken us on.
• I get to love on Mackenna in very unique and intentional ways as we navigate the tough waters together.
• Our kids are learning very concretely, that God made everyone different.  They are learning about compassion and fairness.
• Most of all, Mackenna is happy.  She has not lost the joyful, playful, silly spirit she had before diagnosis.  She is the same, only better.

P.S.  If you’re wondering what The Joy Before Me Challenge is, head over to these blog posts here and here!