Crushing and Beautiful

I had just finished working out. My body was dripping with sweat and my legs were about to start a revolution against me so as to never have to work out again.

I grabbed my Gatorade and sat down in the floor, leaning back against our love seat.

The house was quiet.  Yes, abnormally quiet for a house that normally teeters on the brink of destruction with me and five sons for whom Sarah is our only saving grace.

But alas, she wasn't home and neither were any of the five little Indians. They had traveled for some time away to Virginia to visit family, allowing me some time to write.

My heart still deciding whether or not it wanted to keep beating after the workout I just did, my phone rang identifying the call coming from "Sarah Cell."

When I answered, the words she said would commence a second round of what would be, in the words of Charles Dickens, the best of times and the worst of times.

Sarah had received a phone call from Dave, who wears a number of hats but serves as the transplant coordinator for pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center. A donor liver had come available for Micah.

Micah had been placed on the waiting list in March, just about a month after Titus was born and a short 7 months after we had welcomed home our fourth son Malachi. Now, Micah would have a second transplant.

We like to keep things quiet and easy around our house if you didn't notice!

So began another crushing and beautiful journey. 

Crushing as the emotions came while thinking about the family who walked through death, though giving so someone may gain life. The complications that brought four additional emergency surgeries. Watching your 7 year old boy who had entered the hospital so healthy and vibrant struggle and endure what I'm not sure I could.

Beautiful as our family gathered and the family of Jesus prayed and supported. Beautiful to see how God wastes no ounce of suffering, but can use even the vilest of times and darkest of experiences to display His goodness and glory. The continual pruning work the Father does in my heart and life. But what an amazing day, after 60 days, when Micah walked out of the hospital with me to get into the car and go home.

It has been a year since that phone call. Tomorrow will be a year since the actual surgery.  God has, as always, been abundantly faithful and gracious beyond what we could ever deserve.

If you are reading this post, chances are you were part of that journey. So today I want to express deep gratitude on behalf of our whole family for your prayers, love, and encouragement during those days. Words cannot express what we would like to convey.