A Generous Grace

A month ago I would have hurried past the article in the Saturday newspaper. Children’s health insurance coverage didn’t hold much interest for me. That changed on the 31^st of August.

That’s the day the pediatrician diagnosed my grandson, Oliver, with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Several things didn’t seem right, so my daughter took her firstborn to the doctor. The doctor ordered her to immediately take Oliver to the children’s hospital, through the emergency room to the pediatric intensive care unit. They had to immediately start to get his body chemistry stabilized.

Six weeks shy of his third birthday, Oliver failed to understand why he had to stay in bed, tethered to machines and bags. The blood tests, repeated over and over throughout the day, confirmed an AWOL pancreas. The doctors estimated that Oliver’s problem went undetected for maybe three months. For three months he was malnourished for want of a tiny drop of insulin. The injections that followed the blood tests … well … Oliver fought those with all his toddler might. Two or three adults used their size advantage to overpower his resistance.

Oliver’s parents are still discovering the implications of the diagnosis. Their schedule is much more measured as they juggle meals and snacks and blood tests and injections in an attempt to find the proper balance. They have cleansed the house of juices that would create chaos in Oliver’s body. They read labels for carbohydrates per serving, then do the calculation to identify the appropriate dosage of insulin.

They have yet to fully realize the impact this will have on the family’s financial situation. One early decision was that Oliver’s dad went from a full-time graduate student with two part-time jobs to a part-time student in search of a full-time job with benefits. The provisions of healthcare reform that went into effect on September 23 will benefit them. Insurers will no longer be able to deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions like T1D. Researchers report that the annual medical cost for diabetics averages almost three times that of non-diabetics. Even with health insurance, the deductibles and co-pays will add up. Just as they still strive to bring Oliver’s body chemistry into balance, they now must seek to regain equilibrium in their personal finances.

Means of Grace

But another economy immediately showed itself to be vibrant and recession-proof. As soon as the word of Oliver’s hospitalization started to spread, the body of Christ demonstrated its health.

John Wesley preached a sermon on “The Means of Grace.” Wesley listed several means by which God extends grace, including prayer, Bible study and communion. Wesley could not have anticipated social networking, but I’m here to testify that Facebook is a means of grace. Six minutes from the time of the first message on Facebook, a friend living half-a-continent away started praying. Within 20 minutes, five people in various parts of the country were on Oliver’s prayer team.

The grace of presence accompanied the grace of prayer. Pastor Phil went to see Oliver. So did Anne, Bill, Janet, Linda, Jeremy, Melissa, Monica and Heather. Jon spent two hours with Oliver, a familiar friend in a place where many unfamiliar people constantly flowed in and out of the hospital room.

The Church rose up with the grace of helps. Some cared for Oliver’s sister as their parents spent long days and nights at the hospital. One person organized meal deliveries for when they came home. Another provided cash. Many people offered encouragement through phone calls and emails, puzzles and cards.

The Church being the Church is marvelous to experience. Better still, the Church being the Church gives witness to the generous grace of God.

Papa

This Papa has watched a bewildered two-year-old endure pricks and pokes, band aids and bruises. Too many touches in the past month have brought pain to Oliver. I’ve never been much of a hugger—that wasn’t a typical expression in my family growing up—but I’m changing that. To try to mollify the pain, if even for a moment, I’m going to give Oliver touches that comfort, and hugs that relax the anxiety. There’s no pre-existing illness exemption for the healing power of touch in this Papa’s health insurance plan.

Originally published by Pensions & Benefits USA.