Gratitude
(Let me introduce them to you. From left to right we've got Mike & Christine, and Toby & Kim. I know Mike and Christine from house church. And I took this picture last Tuesday at HC, when Toby and Kim were our guests.)
One year ago Toby, middle-aged dad, swim coach, school employee, husband, and dialysis patient wondered how much time he had left to spend with his kids and Kim. He'd been on the kidney transplant list for a few years; several people had offered to donate their kidney to him (yes, he's a well-loved guy); no match could be found.
Enter Christine. A few years ago God sparked a little desire in her to be a living donor. She didn't know what she would donate--she'd already been a blood donor for years. All she knew was how thankful she was for her undeserved good health. Her heart welled up with gratitude whenever she thought about the gift of good health from God.
At HC last Tuesday they told all the things God wove to bring these two together. Remember, less than a year ago they didn't know each other existed! Here's a brief timeline:
May/June: Christine (a schoolteacher) applies for a position in a program for at-risk teens. She gets the job which moves her to another building, another computer--and this is how she meets Toby.
Summertime: Christine, Mary and I--we're driving to a women's event--Christine mentions something she finds kind of strange--how she's wanted to be a living donor and now she's heard of a man who needs a kidney and she has a feeling she should give him hers--and now she has to go tell this virtual stranger she wants to do this.
A few days later: Toby wonders why Christine has to speak to him "privately" about a computer problem. She doesn't have a computer problem at all--she wants to give him a kidney! He listens to her proposal, hands her the paperwork but doesn't get his hopes up. He's already been through this a few times. Finding a match is unlikely. He doesn't even tell Kim.
Bingo! Rare blood types match and this is just the beginning. Our HC had been walking through this and praying through this all along with Christine. But to hear how God worked out all the details--to hear how Toby can now, like the rest of us, put his will in the safe deposit box and forget about it instead of plan for his funeral--well, we got to witness the miracle of a little kidney in the hand of God.
And Christine? She's back to running and being healthy, planning for her next 50 years. People want to laude her goodness. She denies it, and she taught me volumes by summing it up like this: "I'm not good, I'm grateful." That's a saying we should all live out.
WRITING UPDATE: Please continue to read and pass along Widows Christian Place. I've heard from widows in several states already and believe God's using it. Writing day this week is Thursday or Friday and there's a lot to do. Thanks for checking in on me and have a great week!
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