This is Bill. His Dad Terry had a stem cell transplant Tuesday. His hometown team had T Shirts made up in honor of the event saying “Life Begins on Day Zero: Hope. Fight. Win.” Big ‘new life birthday party.’ Cool idea.
Today, is my scheduled stem cell transplant day. . . My Day Zero. Which means my son Dan and I will share a birthday for the first time in our lives. 🙂 Beyond today, there will be weeks of waiting for the donor graft cells to find their God ordained place in my body and start to make healthy blood cells; during this time I have no natural immune system to protect me from infections, so this is the dangerous time waiting for the “reboot sequence” to complete itself.
In the end, there is a lot of waiting that remains. Don’t you hate waiting? It seems so unproductive. And the way we do it with worry or even over planning can be counterproductive. But let’s not be lazy with passive waiting. There is a better way! Waiting looks away from the troubles and looks to God’s perspective. This is one of the most profound business and spiritual lessons I have ever learned. You have to take your eyes off the problem to see the solution.
God’s perspective calls us to compare our wants and desires with ones that are more noble, the impact of our choices on those we care about. God wants us to talk with Him about these things…often. You can talk out loud or in your mind, but keep the communication lines open, even if you are currently angry with Him, disappointed with Him, feel far away, or not even sure He exists….tell Him what is in your heart. He already knows, he just wants to hear directly from you. Ask Him to speak to you. Listen to Him. Talk with a trusted mature Christian friend, read the bible.
Don’t wait passively. Patience requires waiting. Waiting involves ACTION. What action will help you wait today? Maybe today is YOUR “Day Zero.”
Or maybe TODAY is YOUR day for ACTION. If you are 18-44, be a brave young soul who signs up at www.bethematch.com – click on join the registry for all you need to know. Four cotton swab samples of your inner mouth are all you need to get started to SAVE A LIFE!
PS- don’t miss out on the ‘replies’ from Go Light Your World community members. Many of them share truths that speak to my heart, which is part of the purpose of the blog…To grow community that lights their world! Check back later for additional “Day Zero” Transplant Update.
Endure troubles while you wait (Romans 8:25)
Practice joy, hope, patience, prayer while you wait. (Romans 12);
Anticipate receiving the promises of God (Hebrews 6:15)
Remain faithful while you wait. (revelation 14:12
Prayerfully waiting with you. Already on the registry. May you experience the nearness of God today.
What a joyous day! While there are many uncertainties and many lessons in patience, there is so much to be thankful for. I’ll continue to pray for you, Marcia and the rest of your family. What a wonderful gift the young donor has made, his parents should be proud. Happy new birthday to you! (And happy birthday to Dan!)
Blessings,
Sara
Amen and Amen to all you’ve shared with us who are waiting with you! God is God and there is no other like Him! Standing with you in prayer as you actively wait, knowing that God is able and willing to do exceedingly, abundantly, beyond anything we can ask or even think according to His mighty power at work in you! Praising our LORD God with you for what He is accomplishing in you as you wait upon Him. Love you each one, and Happy Birthday!! Your third!! Remaining mindful and in prayer with you.
Love you Bryan. So many prayers are in Gods ears for you. I know God is going to make you whole again, and you are inspiring all of us everyday by your faith walk. Love u. Em
Happy Birthday!! What a wonderful day to have a birthday:) As I was reading the book of Ruth this morning, it was brought to my attention that there are no coincidences in this life. Everything happens for a reason. Can’t wait to see God’s plan of action in all of this! Praying that there are no infections and that the process is miraculously short.
Blessings to you on this your NEW birthday!
Our hearts and minds are focused on the miracle of God’s wonder at work in you!