Chad, ever being the one to creatively write something from a different perspective, asked me about what type of ‘goodbye’ I would give to my kidney if given the chance. That wasn’t something I had even considered and with it being 6-weeks post-surgery, seemed a bit belated. I responded back that I would think about it, but was likely intending to pass on the exercise.
And then came 3:55 am that next morning when I woke up from a dead sleep with my goodbye speech titled, “Charging Orders”.
At ease, Kidney. Your service has been exemplary over the past 43 years. You have been a true, silent workhorse in the (daily operational battle) – to keep me and all my organs working well in the fight to stay alive.
Now, at such a time as this, there is a new mission you are tasked with. You will be reassigned from this current battlefield of my body to a new enemy territory. The best way to describe it, is more like frenemy territory. Your task will remain the same, however, there will be a few operational challenges you must now deal with.
Phase one of the operation is literally- an operation. There is no training to prepare you for this. The assault will be violent- more violent than anything you’ve experienced before; roundhouse kick, shoulder tackle, roller hockey slap shot, failed flip on the diving board.
We will call this Operation: Donor Blitz. Once you’ve been successfully exfiltrated with gentle and caring hands, you’ll be parachuted into frenemy territory. Stay frosty, keep your nephrons up. Things will go dark once the supply lines are clamped and carefully severed. This will literally be an out-of-body experience and I’m not mincing words here soldier.
Once you’ve landed and new lifelines are secured, it’ll be time to clear the fog and confusion and get back to work.
You will perform at the highest level and under the most difficult circumstances. This battle will now be yours to hold your ground with no option for retreat. There are no reinforcements and you will be under constant attack in this new bodyfield.
You will be seen as a filtering infiltrator and you may experience white blood cell swarm attacks from time to time. Resist at all costs. Stay the course and know that a plan has been put into place to provide you enough defilade to keep this tiny army at bay. Take pride in your battle scars, for they are a badge of honor for a worthy and higher calling being placed on you. Your new platoon of organs will be grateful you’ve arrived as a fresh replacement to bear the burden that was previously and so unfortunately lost.
Remember who’s you are. You are not commander Jeff’s kidney, you are God’s.
We were blessed to be together. Our time on-mission was awesome. Thank you for your service.
I can tell you this was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made, but it’s for a higher and eternal cause- to help save and redeem a life lost to complications outside of their control.
The symbolism of this operation cannot be overlooked. Let me encourage you that when times are tough, remember:
Just as Jesus and the Holy Spirit were sent into this hostile world, so too are you being sent.
Just as Christ broke through the barrier of heaven and earth to be violently born, helpless as a baby into a new body, so too will you be.
Just as Christ came to give hope to the hopeless, so too will you give hope to this child of God.
Just as Christ cleanses the poison of our sins, so too will you remove toxins from the body for a purpose-filled life.
Just as Christ stabilizes the disorder, hurt, trauma, thoughts, and desires in our lives, so too will you be regulating the salt, water, minerals, and blood pressure of the body.
Just as Christ is working behind the scenes of our lives, so too will you be working quietly to sustain your body’s life, 24/7.
Just as Christ alone is enough for salvation and sustaining a growing spiritual life, so too are you enough, by yourself, to carry the load to support the new body.
Just as Christ was attacked by those who didn’t know better because they thought they had it all together and didn’t need help, so too will you be attacked by a body that desperately needs what you offer and yet still wants to reject your gift of life.
Just as Christ performed miracles by healing those in need, so too will you be the centerpiece of a modern medical miracle.
Just as Christ glorifies God in heaven through miracles then and now, so too is your mission’s purpose; Soli Deo Gloria.
Just as Christ loves us unconditionally and freely gave his life as a sacrifice for our sins, so too were you freely given to save a life.
Freely given. There is no way to earn this gift and no way to ever repay it. But, it still takes the simple act of acceptance, saying yes, and the recipient stepping forward in faith for a successful surgery.
So too is accepting the promise and becoming a child of God with the hope of eternal life Christ offers us. The recipient in need must step out in faith and accept the gift of Jesus to dwell in one’s heart by simply praying and asking God for it; dying to your old life and being raised, redeemed, to a new life with Christ Jesus as Lord, Savior, Sanctifier, and Coming King.
Now that you understand the sheer awesomeness of what you are about to do, allow me to send you off with a blessing: Combat Filtration Specialist Kidney, you are being promoted to Command Sergeant Major, where you will now lead the fight in a new battlefield. You will continue to clear obstacles and contaminants at all times, without rest or complaint and in a more hostile environment. You will enable all other organs of your new body to function at their max capacity. We likely won’t ever meet again, but we can long for the future wholeness of a new body, no longer broken and temporarily mended, for God has promised a new heaven and earth where sickness and pain are no more.
Godspeed and good luck soldier!
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Chad’s message to his new kidney: Dear Sidney,