Procrastination often stems from a lack of motivation to complete necessary tasks. Over the past year, I have not posted on CHAMPSINCE.com. For several years, I have neglected to build a relationship with God. Additionally, my job periodically attempts to terminate me due to my disability. My Multiple Sclerosis medication costs nearly $150,000 annually, with prices continuing to rise. Despite these challenges, practicing gratitude is essential. Like everyone, I experience both good and bad days, though my health struggles make the bad days more frequent. However, my faith and the understanding that storms are temporary serve as the foundation for perseverance. If you encounter difficulties, rise and praise God. Every trial and tribulation prepares us for the future.
There was only one perfect person to ever walk this earth. For most of my life, I was ashamed to smile, feeling self-conscious about my teeth. If I opened my mouth a certain way, others could see my teeth crowning, which led to endless cavities throughout my teenage years. Eventually, I got braces, yet my teeth still weren’t perfect. Though I was always grateful for my crooked smile, the pain and insecurity that came with it became too much to bear.
Going to Dates Orthodontics transformed my smile made a world of difference. Chasing perfection is admirable, but I’ve learned that worldly desires come with an expiration date. The treasures we store in heaven, however, last forever.
On March 24th, I turned 38. I had planned for a month to get my teeth whitened. My dentist, Grant Steadman, had insisted on braces for nearly a decade, so his office treated me to a discounted Zoom whitening treatment. That morning, at 8 a.m., I underwent a two-hour Zoom whitening treatment. The results were striking—others even claimed my teeth were brighter than the sun. Afterward, I planned to eat at Five Guys but learned I couldn’t have beef, ketchup, or any shirt staining foods for 48 hours.
A hours after the appointment, I took my mom to a urology appointment at 1 p.m. in preparation for her upcoming kidney stone surgery. We later visited Willow Lawn, my childhood shopping center. It has changed significantly over the years, missing once-popular stores like Foot Locker, Dairy Queen, and KB Toys. I remember my mom buying me a pair of black Jordan 5s when I was around five. As we walked toward the GRTC bus stop, one of the few unchanged spots, memories flooded back.
At Chick-fil-A, a man asked me for spare change. I told him I didn’t carry cash but offered to buy him a sandwich. He stayed in the bathroom for a long time, and when he came out, I asked if he wanted anything else. He admitted he had never eaten at Chick-fil-A before. I rarely eat there myself, haha.
As we waited for our order, Robert, the man I helped, shared his story. He and his wife were homeless and had slept in the cold the night before. He said I was the only person who had helped him. He didn’t know I had been in a similar situation. I told him I understood, and he thanked me repeatedly, even complimenting my appearance. I humbly mentioned that my job was okay—I worked at a warehouse. At that moment, I felt grateful for my dead-end job. I realized Jesus had protected me my entire life.
Humans cannot always see others for who they are, good or bad. However, discernment can reveal a person’s true nature. A former coworker, whom I once considered a lifelong friend, told me I was a good person. Now, we only exchange casual hellos and goodbyes. As humans, we often forget people as seasons change. God places and removes people from our lives for a reason. When you grow, some old friends may fall away to make room for better ones. Keep pushing forward. The devil in your life may be an angel in someone else’s story.
A close friend, Uncle Andre, counsels young men from similar backgrounds—those who grew up fatherless and struggled with suicidal thoughts. He commended me for breaking the cycle. From 2010 to 2024, I battled extreme thoughts of ending it all because of multiple sclerosis. I had no relationship with God; I only spoke to Him when things were going bad.
Being Marc wasn’t easy. Every day, I woke up dealing with irritable bowel syndrome, which was especially bad before school and work. Some days, even on my off days, the symptoms were unbearable—one day, I’d feel fine, and the next, my body would erupt like a Mount Tambora volcano, despite not even drinking an entire bottle of Texas Pete! I faced multiple sclerosis daily, enduring body pain, numbness, and weekly Rebif injections. On top of that, I took daily vitamins and pills, worked a job that wasn’t my passion and was in debt. At times, it was overwhelming, but I always tried to stay positive, reminding myself that bad times are temporary.
This past year, my faith deepened through my baptism. I learned I should always think of God in good times and bad. The flesh can cloud our judgment, but we must always praise the Lord. Gratitude is key—we should be thankful for what we have rather than comparing ourselves to others. Instead of envy, we should celebrate others’ blessings and pray for them. For 38 years, I put on a brave face and pretended everything was okay, but I now understand that true strength comes from faith and perseverance.
The CHAMPSINCE logo is an ocean wave, symbolizing the ups and downs of life. We must keep flowing and moving forward, no matter what challenges arise.
Today marks the beginning of my journey in writing my book, CHAMPSINCE: I DIDN’T QUIT. I’m excited to share my story with you all!
