Post 86: God, Jesus and... Albert Einstein?

What do God, Jesus and Albert Einstein have in common?

Well... we'll get to that.

I know this is a bit of a departure from the usual topics presented on these pages, but for this post I wanted to share a personal story--a story of grace through the eyes of a young boy that I hope will touch you in some way.

The Diagnosis

Our son was five years old when he was diagnosed with Type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes.

One morning, after eating a hearty breakfast, Johnny brushed his teeth, donned his backpack, and jumped into the car, excited to get to kindergarten that day.

After only a few minutes into the drive to school, he complained that he was hungry. Well, not just hungry, but starving! So famished in fact, that he was actually in tears. Johnny has always had a healthy appetite, but this was unusual. Mom knew that something wasn't right and her "mom radar" went into high-alert mode.

After dropping him off at school, she went home and immediately consulted her trusty "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" (this was pre-internet-search era). Upon learning that extreme hunger was one symptom of diabetes, she called Johnny's pediatrician, made an appointment for that same day, and went back to the school to pick him up.

A simple blood test confirmed that he was diabetic. His blood sugars were off the chart and arrangements were made to get him into the hospital right away.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. When the pancreas stops producing insulin, sugars are never delivered to the body's cells but remain in the bloodstream. If untreated, this can lead to serious complications, including heart damage, neuropathy, and blindness.

There is currently no cure for Type 1 diabetes. It must be managed with a combination of insulin injections and dietary control.

The Hospital

Johnny spent the next three days in the hospital. Those days were a blur.

It's not hard to imagine how overwhelming it would be for a five-year-old to try to come to terms with the fact that his young life had just taken a dramatic, and very unpleasant turn. Imagine trying to process the fact that, from now on, you will need multiple blood tests every day, and multiple insulin shots every day for the rest of your life!

His mom and I were both broken-hearted for our son and in a bit of shock as we struggled to fully comprehend the ramifications of this life-changing diagnosis. For the next several days, we were immersed in a training program with a Diabetic Educator, learning how to care for our newly-diagnosed, insulin-dependent diabetic son.

The Question

On the day Johnny was released from the hospital, I picked him up in my truck. Our first stop--the pharmacy. There were about a dozen things we would need in order to begin this new season in our family's life--glucometers, blood test strips, syringes, finger-poke needles, antiseptic pads, glucagon kits... The list went on.

Since Mom never left his side the entire time in the hospital, she drove straight home to begin making arrangements at the house for the changes that would be required for his care, so it was just the two of us making our way to the local pharmacy.

We rode along without speaking for quite some time. We were both in a bit of a stupor trying to process this new challenge we were facing. Finally, Johnny turned to me and softly asked, "Papá, why did I get diabetes?"

His voice was quiet and reflective. His expression was a mix of confusion and apprehension-- the face of a child struggling to come to terms with the fact that that he has suddenly been thrust into a whole new personal reality, and his life would never be the same. I also sensed that he might be wondering if he might be to blame--if there was something he did to cause it.

While some believe there could be a genetic link, the actual source of the onset of Type 1 diabetes is unknown. So, with a lump in my throat and my heart breaking for him, I gave him the same answer his mom and I got from the medical professionals, "Nobody knows, son."

More time passed without a word. Then, with the resolve of someone who believes he has just discovered the answer to a great mystery, Johnny said, confidently, "Three people know."

"Three people know what?" I asked, a bit perplexed. You see, by this time, I had moved on to other concerns. I was running through a list in my head of the myriad of things that would need attending to--adjustments to his diet, coordinating with his school, revising our work schedules, etc.

"Three people know why I got diabetes," Johnny repeated.

"Oh? Who?" I asked.

"God, Jesus, and Einstein" he stated with great aplomb.

So, there's the answer to our question, "What do God, Jesus and Albert Einstein have in common?" In the head of a five-year old who just received some not-so-wonderful, life-changing news, those three--God, Jesus, and Einstein--are the only ones who can truly understand why such tribulations, like diabetes, befall us in this life.

I smiled and gave him a nod of approval. If that answer was good enough for him, it was certainly good enough for me.

Final Thoughts

I learned two important lessons from that time with my son on the way to the pharmacy that day:

First, we never know what our kids are absorbing. I'm guessing that at some point in the past I must have made mention that Albert Eistein was a really smart guy. Johnny heard it, remembered it, and factored it into his new understanding of life's difficulties.

Second, I realized I had missed an opportunity to teach my young son about how our benevolent God is never unaware of our struggles, and how He can work all things--even diabetes--for the good for those who love Him.

... we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope... (Rom 5:3-4)

By the way, Johnny is now 35 years old, of great character, and doing well--a true overcomer.

Praise God.

Next Post: TBD.