Some gifts, some sacrifices, take your breath away.
Thank you. Two little words stammered out from beneath a gentle waterfall of tears.
Though they flow from the wellspring of your heart, they seem so little compared to the gift of the heartbroken family of the organ donor who just gave new life to you or to one you love more than life.
Maybe birds were singing, the sun was shining, and everything in that person’s world seemed filled with life on the day they checked the “donor” box on the driver’s license form. Death by boredom in a DMV line seemed more likely than a violent, untimely passing. But now?
One family’s deep sorrow. Another’s undying gratitude.
Three weeks ago you could barely walk across the room. Now you can hardly wait to dance! With every step, every breath, you thank the giver.
Or change the scene.
The striking young couple standing at the altar would light up the sanctuary even if all the candles burned out. It’s their wedding day, a day as beautiful as they are.
Before God, his people, their families and friends, they stand hand in hand, making the vows, speaking the promises. Heartfelt. Real.
They exchange the rings, eat the cake, head off to the honeymoon, and begin life together.
And then, wonder of wonders, a new life, a precious little girl! She lights up the lives of her parents, her grandparents, their families. With just a smile and a giggle she carves her initials into hearts we’ve already lost to those brown eyes.
But just as the joys of life are deeper than we might have ever dreamed, so at times are its sorrows.
“In sickness and in health,” was the promise. We choose life together. In good times and in bad. Their voices signed the covenant on a bright cloudless day, but signed for just such a dark time as would come when…
The cancer. The treatment. The consequence. No more children. At least, not of their blood.
Well, already that one. What a blessing! But the God who has never seen a situation he could not redeem was not finished with blessing.
A very young unmarried couple in real love. But too far too soon, a human mistake. But not a mistake for which they were willing to make the purest, smallest, and most innocent pay the ultimate price. To carry a child for nine months is never easy. But to carry a child to give as a gift of deepest love?
A week ago, that little gift was born. This grandfather will never forget opening the door and walking in with her sister to meet Kendall Briley Shelburne.
Smiles. Tears. Laughter. Joy. Deep gratitude. Our family will always love and honor those birth parents. So young. But filled with love for that little one, and trusting, with wisdom beyond their years, that there is no situation the God who allowed himself to be hung on a cross cannot redeem.
Some gifts, some sacrifices, take your breath away.
You’re invited to visit my webpage at http://www.CurtisShelburne.com!
Copyright 2015 by Curtis K. Shelburne. Permission to copy without altering text or for monetary gain is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
