No greater love...

Today's blog is brought to you by Donnell Field. he is the son-in-law of Pastor Paul. Donnell is married to Pastor Paul's daughter Erin. Donnell also works with Pastor Paul on this site and his ministry.

I have had some time to think about a recent visit to one of my doctors. And even still after about 5 days has passed, I am flabbergasted by what my doctor shared with me. 

Now, I have not seen this particular doctor very much as we haven't lived in this area for very long (less than a year). but as we spoke about my kidney transplant and who my donor was, it became clear he had read my history.

We talked about my years of marriage to Erin and how long we have known each other. That prior to us meeting in Cape Coral, we had no connections whatsoever. And that when Erin found out I needed a kidney she didn't hesitate to tell the transplant doctors that she wanted to be tested to see if she was a viable candidate. 

I am approaching two years now with my new kidney that Erin gave to me. And the words of my transplant nurses still ring in my head. "So, you're the one!" It wasn't as much a question as a statement. These nurses have seen plenty of transplants in their time with HCA Largo (Florida). But they had never seen such a devotion and sacrifice as with what Erin had done. 

It is rare to find a match on a donor list. That's why there are so many still waiting to get a transplant. Distance and timing are also key factors. But Erin and I had not known each other for decades. We didn't grow up together. We had no previous connections, as I stated. And yet she was willing to donate one of her organs (a kidney), to help save my life. 

But it wasn't until I spoke with my endocrinologist to put it into perspective. In a way that was just mind blowing. Knowing that the hand of God was the reason for this. I will explain.

When a person needs a transplant they do all kinds of test of the recipient. Then they take that information and match to potential donors on a national database. When Erin stepped forward, they did all sorts of testing on her as well. After a couple of weeks they informed us that she was a suitable match. 

It would be almost two years late that I would learn just how perfect a match she was. Now her blood type lended greatly to being a donor for many people. But as the doctor explained to me, she was perfect. When they looked at her results and compared them to what they have known through their vast years of experience, a more suitable donor couldn't have matched better. As it was explained to me, usually the best donors are ones as the doctor described it, have a 1.2 to 2 ratio match. That would be like a sibling, offspring or even parents. Those are the people that they look to first. Their DNA is closely related to the recipient. but when they looked at Erin's numbers, the doctor said that not even a twin could have been so well matched. In fact the doctor threw out there a 1 in 10,000 possibility of a match. Her number was 1.1. Which meant the chance the organ would be rejected was so very low. Almost as if it couldn't tell the original from the new one. 

I have said all of that so that if you are reading this, you will hopefully see the wonders and splendor of God's creation. Just think about what you just read. And then think about this women, being led by God for her entire life. She chose to give up an organ to man she has known less than 10 years. She took those marriage vows to a whole other level. And now she is truly a part of me. The two shall become one as the wedding vow says. 

But as God states it, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13  Erin practiced what is spoken about in 1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."

Love is more than an emotion. It isn't just a feeling. For true love must be put into action. And I am so thankful that my wife willingly and without hesitation stepped up and said she would do whatever she could to help me. She saved my life. And I am forever grateful and thankful to God for bringing her into my life. God knew what he was doing when he brought us two together. But that is a story for another day.