Tag Archives: diabetes

What Could Have Been and Has Come to Be

Posted on June 28, 2019 by expressyourself4him

Eight teen years ago today, my wife and I welcomed our second child Daniel into this world.  As time passed, it became clear that our oldest James would be the student and that Daniel would become the athlete.  While James has been blessed with more God given talent, Daniel is more passionate about sports.  Whether it was baseball, golf or ultimate frisbee, Daniel always stood out, eventually becoming the best.  With one year left of high school, only God knows the chapters left to be written.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope, Jeremiah 29:11.

However, as Paul Harvey shared on the radio for years, the rest of the story reveals what could have been.  At the height of his popularity, Daniel’s world came to a halt, almost losing his life to diabetes the summer before his freshman year of high school.  There were subtle signs looking back, but I ignored these as needing to hydrate during a hot humid summer.  The news of this diagnosis was shocking, especially for a young teenager.  As a parent, there is a helpless feeling, unable to undo these events or heal my son to ease his pain.  Despite the doctor’s visits, expensive treatments and uncertainty, I am thankful Daniel is alive and well today.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps, Proverbs 16:9.

Unless you are diabetic, you can’t relate to the daily shots of insulin needed to stay alive.  As technology advances, perhaps someone will create a new device to help ease this burden.  Nonetheless, you can’t dwell on what could have been.  Rather, for now God is teaching me to focus on what has come to be, a man who is seeking to pursue higher education.  Exactly where is still a question mark, but if things proceed as planned, hopefully golf is part of God’s plan.  You see, Daniel’s middle name is Payne, in honor of my favorite golfer Payne Stewart.  Like a wise king once wrote, “many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s purpose previals.”

by Jay Mankus

1 Comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Averting Disaster

Posted on January 30, 2017 by expressyourself4him

With all the recent debate about Obama Care, 2016 taught my the importance of possessing good healthcare.  Between my son Daniel’s four day stay in the hospital for Diabetes and my emergency eye surgery, we racked almost 100K in expenses.  If it wasn’t for Amazon’s great benefits, I might be homeless or in the process of filing for bankruptcy.  Sure, the 5,000 deductible set me back a couple of paychecks, but in the end I averted disaster.

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you! – Job 1:16.

Prior to the concept of healthcare, individuals were dependent upon their family, friends and relatives to provide for their needs.  What happened to Job in the Old Testament is like a scene out of a Science Fiction movie.  In a chain of accidents, bizarre events and disaster, Job loses his earthly possessions and his children.  Helpless, this man of God averts spiritual disaster by mourning, praying and worshiping the Lord.

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised,” Job 1:20-21.

When disaster comes knocking on the door of your life, there are various ways to react.  Anytime a series of events brings bad news, its easy to go negative, bitching and complaining about what has happened.  Yet, Job teaches people a vital lesson about life.  The human body is temporary, bound for the grave.  Therefore, don’t get caught up in all the earthly treasures you possess.  Rather, avert the destruction of your soul by remembering that the Lord gives and takes away.  According to Jesus in Matthew 16:25, life is found by giving it away.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Someone Will Always Have It Worse Than You

Posted on August 21, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Last week I spent a few days at A.I. Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware.  This is one of the premiere facilities on the East Coast for young people struggling with crippling illnesses.  When my son Daniel arrived at the hospital, his blood sugar level as at 1000, the highest A.I. had ever received was 700.  Anything over 300 is considered dangerous.  Thus, despite all my family went through last week at least my son is alive.

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven, James 5:14-15.

Passing by several rooms, I encountered children in much worse shape than Daniel.  While diabetes is life altering, at least it can be treated.  There are countless battling for their lives, not knowing if and when their condition will worsen.  I guess the last 7 days has helped me put life into its proper perspective.  I learned that someone will always have it worse than you.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul, 3 John 1:2.

One of the benefits of working at Amazon is that I engage several generations on a weekly basis.  Some associates are fresh out of high school, others trying to find their place in life and others forced out of retirement to receive healthcare.  Although everyone has good, bad and indifferent days, if you open your eyes you will always find someone worse off than you.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Choose to Believe

Posted on August 16, 2016 by expressyourself4him

One of the names ascribed to Lucifer in the Bible is the angel of music or song.  This nick name has led Bible scholars to claim the Devil uses secular music to corrupt the hearts and minds of countless individuals.  While this may be true to a certain extent, there are plenty of wholesome songs that I have come across which do just the opposite.  Several of these contemporary artists either elevate the faith of Christian or encourage some to believe.

You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.  You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you, Ezekiel 28:14-15.

In my life, music plays a vital role in the ebbs and flows that I experience.  Although I go through periods of disappointment, unable to find the right song for the difficult stretch in life, artists, ballets and songs can arrive just in the nick of time.  As I struggle to come to grips with my son’s Diabetes diagnosis, I was reminded of an album I purchased earlier in the year.  When I heard this Phillips, Craig and Dean’s song on my birthday, I knew just what to do.

Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin,” John 8:11-12.

The ballet “I choose to believe” talks about how one phone call can change your life.  One day everything is fine and the next your world is turned upside down.  Yet, within the emotions of the trial standing in your way, everyone has a decision to make.  In the case of a woman caught in adultery, she was on death row, about to be executed when a young lawyer named Jesus intervened.  I don’t think she was hopeful early on, yet at the end her life was saved.  In the same way, I still have my health and my family.  While I may not have the money to cover all the added expenses, I simply choose to believe.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Searching for Understanding

Posted on August 13, 2016 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0AyxEMFRbI

The other night I was counting my blessings; thankful for a having a healthy family up to this point in life.  Perhaps a spirit of pride entered my mind like a whisper proclaiming “I’m better than you.”  This feeling didn’t last long, crashing back to reality with my son being rushed to the hospital this week, then diagnosed with diabetes.

Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, Proverbs 2:3

In the hours and days which have followed, I’m in the process of searching for understanding.  Thoughts such as why does God let bad things happen to good people started this conversation in my mind.  Followed by why did my prayers go unanswered?  Drawing a blank, I guess I have to wait a while before I receive the first clue.

Then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God, Proverbs 2:5.

As a father, Solomon writes a letter to his sons, trying to prepare them for life in the real world.  Solomon urges his children to seek understanding, like Jesus urged his followers to hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Yet, the first step begins with fearing the Lord.  The byproduct of this spiritual practice leads you closer to discernment.  In view of this advice from Proverbs, I have to go back to the drawing board, stop pouting and fear the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.