The Upside of Diabetes

The next week I was back in the doctor's office, pouring out to him how dreadful that diabetic support group was. "These people may need this, but I sure don't. Can't you tell me something GOOD to say tonight when it's my turn to share?"

"Well," he said, "having diabetes is like having carpenter ants in your body. You never know where they might attack … it could be the kidneys, the arteries, your vision, etc."

"That's hardly something encouraging that I could share!"

"Well, just pretend that the most upsetting relative you have has come to live with you for the rest of your life."

"That's another ZERO to share! But I have to speak at tonight's meeting, and I just have to say something positive to these poor, pitiful souls."

The doctor paused and then he smiled. "Well, knowing you, you'll think this is something good. One good thing about having diabetes is that you won't end up in a rest home because usually diabetics don't LIVE that long!"

"Oh, that's terrific news!" I said. "Who wants to end up in a rest home anyway? Besides, my husband, Bill, has just taken out some insurance with the American Association of Retired Persons which is supposed to cover any needs for a rest home. Now I can cancel my portion!"

I went home and joyfully instructed Bill to cancel my portion of that AARP rest home policy and then headed out for the hospital support group for the diabetics meeting.

There they sat, just as they had done the week before. No one had grown a new leg, and no miracles had happened since the last meeting. All of them just sat there in a circle, pouring out new complaints and new pains.

Finally it got to be my turn. I started out with my name and that I was only at this meeting because my doctor said I HAD to come to at least two meetings, but I wouldn't be back after this one.

"My doctor told me recently that I have adult-onset diabetes and warned me about all the complications that go along with it unless I take proper care of myself. And even then I have no guarantee I'll escape them. But I was back to see him today, and he gave me some really terrific news!"

Every face in the group sort of brightened up, and I continued, "The doctor told me I don't have to worry about winding up in a rest home because diabetics usually don't live that long!"

At this point, I could see that they were about to fall off their chairs, but I had to continue telling them how exciting it is for me to know that as a Christian I have an ENDLESS HOPE, not a HOPELESS END. It seemed that the Lord wrapped me in so much love for these folks that it just poured out of me. I told them that my exit from earth would be my grandest entrance in heaven and that earth has no sorrow heaven cannot heal. My joy is in knowing that my future is in God's hands and that heaven is closer to me than long life in some rest home.

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Excerpted from Stick a Geranium In Your Hat and Be Happy. Copyright © 2004 by Barbara Johnson. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Excerpt may not be reproduced without the prior consent of the publisher.

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