Monday, 26 May 2008

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  1 Year Anniversary of my Heart Transplant!

  Well I have been contemplating the last few days this post. In trying to put my thoughts together the word anniversary, has come up in more than one conversation.. Webster defines a anniversary by 1: the annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event So the question is would a heart transplant qualify as a notable event?  I think it does but then again I may be prejudiced . So today I am going to give pause and once again publicly praise and magnify the name and work of the Lord in my life as today is the 1 year anniversary of my heart transplant.

  These last 3 or 4 days have been filled with a lot emotion for me as yesterday when I looked at my watch and seeing what time it was remembering just as though this happened last week, where I was at, what I was doing and what was going on in preparation for my transplant, a year ago. It was like at 12:10 pm yesterday was when I got the final call to come to the hospital. Then at 2:30 pm was when Susan and Thomas and Katelyn all arrived at the hospital none of us knowing how the day would end. Then last night at 10:45 pm remarking to Susan this was the time they were taking me to surgery. Then as I woke this morning having a fresh sense of waking up with a heart beating in me….I was still on a ventilator but when my wife spoke the words to me that “you have a new heart and its beating perfectly” I was conscious enough to know the transplant had taken place and as I came in and out of consciousness was aware that indeed sometime new had taken place in my life.

  My first thoughts have been to praise and glorify the Lord. He provided for me far beyond and above what we asked. Perhaps as I look back it was a lack of faith, but we know that with men things can be impossible but God can make those things we doubt and lack faith in and makes those events possible. I was reminded a couples weeks ago that my being here today and people seeing me that haven’t seen me in about 6 years was a direct answer to their prayers. As I have said many time I never ever wanted this to be about me, but how God did something in our midst that so show his mercy, power and grace and that he does listen to his children and does give them good gifts.

  My second thought has been of dear Pastor Andy. Just being with him that day, not knowing how the providence of God was going to open itself to me that day. But Andy has the scripture on his lips, had the words of comfort ready for me. In when if mattered most was living out with me and before me that our only hope in the time of distress and trouble is the Word of God and the comfort that we can be to one another in our times of trial. I wish I had the words to truly express my feelings to Andy but all that I can say Is that I love him, and the impact he has been on my life, through these events, has been great.
  

  My third thoughts have been to all of you who have prayed for me before during and after my transplant and for all the biopsies and times of mild rejection. You have been there taking my concerns to the Father as thought they were your own. One of the things that moved me a year ago as well as being reminded the other day was this. There was a mother, and her 2 daughters, that had taken a few days of vacation, in Alabama I think. And when the news of the transplant being a possibility came to them they spent some time in prayer for me and my family and kept getting updates from their husband/father who is one of our other Pastor’s, and continued in prayer for me during that day, which was overwhelming and shows that no matter what or were we are we can have immediate access to the Father for our brothers and sister in the Lord.

  My fourth thought was been the love and devotion of my wife and children through all this. During the first few critical months of my recovery she was very active in making sure of a “sterile” environment for me. We have had to do some things different but she has always been there with love and patience for me.

  The last thought has been this dear family that today mourns the loss of their 23 year old son. This has been one of the most difficult things I have had to deal with and accept. Even thought I am happy and rejoicing today, there is also a family that mourns and are deeply saddened by their loss. I remind myself daily that this decision was made by him, his family and they wanted to help other people in need. Which I do know, he gave several of his organs, and well as his tissue to help many other people in need.

  So today I praise God for how he has blessed my life and that of my family, and how the Lord heard your prayers and gave to us abundant blessings as a result of your prayers.

  Steve

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