When Chris's liver gets delivered,
Someone else will get de-liver-ed
Someone else will get de-liver-ed
This nonsense line kept rattling through my head this morning during my quiet time. I have a 28 year old nephew with Hepatitis (from a bad blood transfusion) who has been on a list for a liver transplant for several months now. Three times he has gone to the hospital because a donor liver came in, but after testing, it has turned out not to be a match for him. So, yesterday was the fourth time. All looked good, and the surgery was to be scheduled for 9:00 pm last night. And as I sent out e-mails and facebook updates to my friends to pray for Chris, several of my friends pointed out the mixture of sorrow and joy that comes with a story like this. For my nephew to get a chance for his life to be extended, someone else's life has been cut short. So I am learning to pray not just for my nephew, but also for the family of some son or father or brother who has died.
Anyway, I woke up this morning and checked my text messages for a word from my sister. Turns out that late last night the doctors determined that the liver was too big for Chris. So, for the fourth time, it's back to waiting.
Waiting is a discouraging thing. It is hard to pray faithfully for a blessing from God, only to see the answers seemingly going to someone else. But the more I think about it, the more I am reminded that the call to love my neighbor means I have to pray in equal measure for my nephew AND the family of the donor. And I also have to pray for the recipient of the liver that Chris didn't get. Because now, someone else is getting that second chance on life. Someone else's father, or brother, or son. And what if that person doesn't yet know Christ? This potentially gives him a chance to respond to the love of Christ someday in the future.
All that to say, my nonsense, "Dr.-Seuss-is-taking-over-my- blog" ditty has had another verse added to it. Indulge me:
Anyway, I woke up this morning and checked my text messages for a word from my sister. Turns out that late last night the doctors determined that the liver was too big for Chris. So, for the fourth time, it's back to waiting.
Waiting is a discouraging thing. It is hard to pray faithfully for a blessing from God, only to see the answers seemingly going to someone else. But the more I think about it, the more I am reminded that the call to love my neighbor means I have to pray in equal measure for my nephew AND the family of the donor. And I also have to pray for the recipient of the liver that Chris didn't get. Because now, someone else is getting that second chance on life. Someone else's father, or brother, or son. And what if that person doesn't yet know Christ? This potentially gives him a chance to respond to the love of Christ someday in the future.
All that to say, my nonsense, "Dr.-Seuss-is-taking-over-my- blog" ditty has had another verse added to it. Indulge me:
When Chris's liver gets delivered,
Someone else will get de-liver-ed
But if the delivered liver isn't a fit for Chris
Someone else could get delivered.
Someone else will get de-liver-ed
But if the delivered liver isn't a fit for Chris
Someone else could get delivered.
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2 comments:
You have a fascinating point of view on this. One of my frustrations as a Christian is when we praise God for the blessings in our lives, but fail to struggle with the fact that often the trials we face are in his will as well. What ended up being a struggle for you will be a blessing for someone else. There is power in that point of view and it can apply to many things in life
Thanks. It isn't a POV that comes easily, nor is it one I came up with on my own. That's usually something someone else has to point out to you.
I love it in Scripture when Job calls out his wife. She wants him to curse God and die, and Job responds, "You're talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?"
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