First, a note from Kim: One morning in February of 2009, I began experiencing pain in my left arm and neck. I was teaching at the time and toward the end of the school day, the pain worsened. I called my husband and he recommended stopping at the chiropractor’s office on my way home. We had been seeing Dr. Corrado for a few years at that point, and he had helped me through a few times when my back went out. So I made an appointment and stopped by on my way home from school.
When Dr. Corrado heard my symptoms, he said, “Kim, I’m really sorry to tell you this, but you’re going to get a lot worse before you get better.” He went on to tell me that I had two herniated discs in my neck. He told me which discs were herniated and other details that would later be confirmed by an MRI. He said it would take about two months to get through this. He also said, “If you do exactly as I tell you, you won’t need surgery, but if you don’t you will definitely have to have surgery.”
Thanks to Dr. Dave’s diligent care and treatment, I did NOT need surgery. God brought this incredible doctor into our lives who blessed us during that difficult period, even calling to check on me during the most difficult first few days. He has taken care of our family (most of us with chronic back problems) for almost fifteen years. Through those years we have gotten to know Dr. Corrado. We have great conversations about how to solve the problems of the world, how to raise kids, and the importance of our relationship with God and obeying the principles of the Bible. Dr. Dave is a committed dad of two boys and invests much time in teaching them to be young men of integrity. I asked him to share something he has learned from the book of Proverbs, and I appreciate his willingness to participate in this month’s focus on Men of Integrity.
By the way, if you need a good chiropractor, Dr. Dave Corrado is the best! Corrado Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center is located in Marlton, NJ.
Blessings of the Lord
by Dr. Dave Corrado
The blessing of the Lord maketh man rich; neither shall affliction be joined to them. – Proverbs 10:22
What could be more precious to men? The blessings given to us by our Father are all that is needed in life to sustain us. These gifts give us direction and purpose in life, provide a moral compass by which to self-govern, and replenishes our soul with compassion, peace, love and respect. Without the benefactions of the Lord our hearts can grow sick and weary. Without them there is no fulfillment.
Today, in our world men are rushed, pulled from place to place, stressed and worried at our places of employment, distressed with the maintenance of our homes, and concerned for our children and loved ones. Always our minds are thinking, deciding, and trying to fix problems or help others. In our world, especially the secular world, we become embroiled with financial problems, political quandaries, desires for comforts and conveniences, jealousies and dislikes. These are afflictions that can over take us at times. In the end, these fears and anxieties can burgeon within us affecting our spiritual well-being, affecting our happiness.
However, the Lord always accommodates with His blessings for He truly loves us. He ends our troubles and no affliction can be joined to us or stay with us because we are well provided for. A man simply has to stop and listen, pray, or let go. The amazing gifts of the Lord surround us and He is present within us. He is a continual presence in our lives and this presence is so complex and yet so very simple. His blessings are found in nature at dawn with the cacophony of birdsong, in the stillness of the bluish-blackness of dusk, in the endless rolling of the ocean at the surf, and on the mountain in the wind above the trees. His blessings are as profound as in the middle of the night with piercing stars in an eternal universe and as simple as the tinkling of snow from a branch on a bitter winter’s morning. His blessings are embedded our relationships with one another. His blessings are in the sound of children playing, a baby’s giggle, the meeting of old friends, a stranger’s smile, the humbleness of an apology, a touch of a compassionate hand, a family gathered at the table for a meal, the coolness of a mother’s hand on a fevered brow, and the tenderness of a kiss. His blessings are in our own being. They are the tears that fall down our faces, the sanctuary of our prayers, the gift of charity, the love of our children, spouses, and all others.
We as men only have to stop and look around us and most importantly, inside of us…the Lord is there and will always be there with His blessings, and no affliction will be joined to us.
Dr. David Corrado is a chiropractor who practices in Marlton, NJ. He is a lifelong resident of South Jersey growing up in Pennsauken and now residing in Medford. He had two sons Nicolas, age 14 and Joseph, age 12 and spends his days fishing, exploring nature, and learning with them.