Emily Glenham
About the Author

Emily is a Missions Coordinator who loves to encounter God among the cultures and creativity of His world. She and her husband live on the NC coast.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. “I discovered back then that I was not inconvincible”

    I have no idea what you mean here. Perhaps “invincible”? (If it’s just a typo…)

    • Haha! Yep, Cynthia, I did mean to write that I am not invincible… even to publishing typos. 😉

  2. You are one precious soul, Em! You are so trusting of God and his plan for you! I am so thankful to call you family! Thanks for sharing your story with the world and always being a light in the dark! Love you!

    • Court! What a blessing you are to me!!! Thanks for being the light and the encouragement YOU are in this world, just by being who you are. Love you, too, sweet girl!

  3. Emily, you are remarkable, and I love you so much! I’ve always been so proud of how youve handled dealing with your diabetes.

  4. Emily, you are remarkable, and I love you so much! I’ve always been so proud of how you’ve handled dealing with your diabetes.

  5. I needed this more than you know today. I love your authenticity and willingness to be vulnerable. I’m learning more and more everyday that it’s our weaknesses and scars that are our biggest witness. 🙂

  6. We have a little 1st grade girl at the school I work at who recently found out she has diabetes. I remarked to her the other day how she always smiles, even when she gets her shots. She said, “Oh, only happy people get diabetes”. I know this is beside your point here, but you seem to have it together and are happy. I thought you would get a kick out of the wise words of this 6 year old.

    • Lisa, that just made my DAY! Such a wise little girl! I pray that she continues to have that attitude for the rest of her life. It isn’t as much about our circumstances as what we do with them… What an encouragement this is to me. Thank you for sharing! 🙂

  7. Emily,
    Thank you for sharing your heart and life experience! I love how you share that we are called to bless others through our gifts and weaknesses, whatever they may be, and how God uses our circumstances to pursue us and draw us closer to him. Your words mean more than you know!
    Valerie

  8. Emily, you have always amazed me with the self discipline you have shown over the years. As a young girl you just seemed to accept your condition, put on your big girl panties and went “right on” with your life. Your story has been and will continue to be an inspiration to me and many others.

  9. Thanks for sharing! I was dx with type 1 at the age of 20. I love the analogy of dependence! I know God put several friends in my life with chronic pain before my diagnosis to help me with perspective. Diabetes is not for the most part painful (except site changes) and it is treatable. I still throw a pity party every once in awhile, usually when low, lol, but I know he uses it all for good!

    • So true!! Thank you, Nina, and I pray God continues to bless you with His perspective and presence. He is faithful! (And I know what you mean about those lovely lows — HA!)

  10. I also was diagnosed at the age of 14 with Type 1 diabetes and been battling for quite a long time (will be 40 this year). Thank you for the unique perspective and realization that His plan is always the perfect plan. Sometimes it doesn’t appear perfect at all, but we have to trust in Him always! Thank you! ~lm

  11. You are an inspiration in many ways to all of us ! I remember each summer at the beach you would quickly pack your snack so you could head off with the other cousins. You were and are such a “trooper”. Love you so much.

    • Thank you! Again, so grateful for a supportive family. 🙂 It’s definitely not me, it’s all God’s work in each of us… Love you, too!!

  12. I really appreciate your thoughts, Emily. I think a lot about a diabetes diagnosis this time of year. My son’s to be specific, 8 years ago next Friday. He was 18 months old and I was 6 months pregnant with baby #5.
    His diagnosis was not as traumatic as yours sounds, his blood sugar was “only” 350 when he was tested at the pediatrician’s office after I noticed his increasing thirst and diaper wetting.
    He spent two nights in the hospital and began taking four insulin injections per day.
    I truly did not appreciate a nurses’s prophetic words that it would not be so bad because he wouldn’t remember life before diabetes. She was right, but I remember it and mourn for those simpler days.
    I am a blessed mama and though I would drop diabetes in a heartbeat if I could, I have never felt angry at God, as I do know that he has a plan for my kind-hearted, beautiful-blue-eyed boy. He has diabetes, he is not a diabetic. We don’t let us define us, though it has definitely refined us.
    Thank you again for sharing.

    • Elizabeth, thank you SO MUCH for sharing your story. The trials and patience and perseverance our loved ones go through in this is such a worthy reminder. It sounds like God has certainly shaped you through your son’s diabetes, and I so appreciate hearing from your perspective. I was diagnosed in February as well, so I, too, think of it often this time of year. How I love your statement that while it doesn’t define us, it does refine us… so true of any tribulations we face! Thank you again!

  13. Wow@ Thanks for sharing your story!

    Loved the analogy of dependece on insulin and dependence on God. God gave me two perforated tympanic membranes (busted eardrums). One was corrected by surgery and one did not ever heal. I, too, did not let it define me. Although I was quiet and shy I still lead a basically normal life.

    Many years later I have turned my disability into an ability to bless many people at church. I do sign language to music. The people just love watching me do it & I know it blesses them and God. Just as I know you bless Him with your life!

    • That’s amazing, Beth! How encouraging! Thank you for sharing your story. What an awesome way to witness and be a light.