Hope, Overcome

Transplant A Second Chance At Life

October 28, 2017

This year we are celebrating 20 years that our son Mitch got his second chance at life. A living related liver transplant gave sacrificially by his dad. We are in awe every day of how our God works, especially in offering us second chances. Our extended family, our niece, is about to receive that same gift of life.  Anna is her name and she will be undergoing a kidney transplant in the weeks ahead. Presently, she is doing dialysis three times a week and building strength.  She is also beginning the stages of undergoing the testing as well as hoping one of her brothers will be able to step up and be the donor. (Just typing this is giving me the flashbacks and chills!)

Think about this for a minute what transplant really is all about. It takes two. Two lives. Two organs, one good, one bad. Two hearts. Two fears. Two hopes. And MANY praying!   Transplants have become one of the leading surgeries for giving someone a second chance. I love the picture this paints! One life is sacrificing themselves for the other to have a life. In some cases when looking at cadaver donors, there are many lives that can be saved from just one person who has died. I am still overwhelmed by that! One donor saves up to 14 people! But it took a sacrifice. The family member of that person who died is allowing for a very different celebration of life ceremony. Can you picture that? They may be gone physically, but they are living and active in many others. WOW! Only our God can do that! For the living related transplant like we endured and our niece will undergo, is still the same sacrifice. The one giving is susceptible to problems, health and otherwise. Yet, many of us would not hesitate to do what it takes to help a loved one, no matter what the cost. Like my husband, like whoever is CHOSEN for our niece. A very special gift indeed.   You see, I believe the Lord works through all these things. He has a specific plan in place and purpose for each one who is undergoing times of trial. For Anna and her family, they each are given this opportunity to trust and believe our Jesus. To know HE has her in the palm of HIS holy hands. “For I hold you by your right hand…I the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid, I am here to help you.” Isaiah 41:13 How amazing it that VERY promise for the God who created her, and who knew this day would come!  The God of the universe is holding her hand. That is just plain powerful! AND…comforting!  Below is a song I hope will encourage any of you who need a second chance. You may not need a transplant physically. But you may need one spiritually. Today is the day. Our Jesus can be your Jesus. And HIS promises can be promises you can claim. We have witnessed over and over HIS faithfulness and HIS promises have all come true! (You can read our story in my March 28th post, Mitch’s birthday.) This song is especially a blessing to me in all seasons, but in a trial, HE does show HIS faithfulness! Listen, I think you will find it true for you too.    From time to time, we all need to undergo a transplant of our hearts and mind. We all need to exam our lives and ask God to give us a transplant, a second chance, and a new hope. Taking time each day to OPEN HIS word and read about how your life can be changed and renewed will empower you to face the trials ahead.  We believe today in a God who will heal Anna. We choose to put our faith in the Great Physician and put our hope in HIS HOLY HANDS! May the peace of our Lord be with you! Love deeper, talk sweeter and be thankful for your second chance, Lee    

Tags: chances, faith, Hope, Jesus, kidney, Life, liver, transplant