Six months ago in this space, I pleaded for someone to donate a kidney to Nancy Waddell. Nancy is the wife of my Administrative Assistant, Don Waddell, and a very special woman. Nancy has battled MS since she was a teenager. The past couple of years her kidneys have failed to the point that she has been on dialysis three times a week. That’s a very exhausting, painful experience. Many just give up and wait to die, but Nancy has been a fighter and a faithful Christian.

In a January blog, I explained her situation as follows: “Nancy Waddell needs a kidney transplant. She’s a marvelously spiritual woman whom I’ve known for 50 years. Her spirit through all her trials has been courageous and joyful. She is a rock. The Waddell’s came close to a match several months ago, but two weeks before the planned surgery the donor was disqualified by the examiners. You can imagine the letdown. Of course, they were disappointed to be back to square one.”

“So, this blog is not intended to reach as many people as possible. It’s directed to one person whom God may touch with this need. I love Don and Nancy Waddell like family and feel compelled to do my part to broaden their appeal in some way. We need major assistance from someone who is willing to make an extreme sacrifice and donate a kidney to Nancy.”

The response to that appeal was overwhelming. Thirty-two people expressed a willingness to donate one of their kidneys so Nancy could have a new lease on life! Isn’t that incredible? Several didn’t even know Nancy personally but were willing to sacrifice an organ from their own body so that someone else might live.

The list was narrowed down to a single donor and the surgery scheduled for this past Thursday afternoon. I met with the Waddell’s a couple of days before the surgery to pray for God’s blessing and Nancy, who is not excitable by nature, was almost giddy with excitement. The hope of being released from the pain and exhaustion of dialysis and returning to some semblance of normalcy was exhilarating to her.

I’m thrilled to report that this past Thursday afternoon Nancy Waddell received a new kidney. The doctors reported the surgery was a complete success and the kidney began functioning immediately. Though dealing with post-operative discomfort at this point, a brightened color has returned to Nancy’s face. God-willing, she will not need any more dialysis.

The donor wishes to remain anonymous. She is a retired nurse who is a member of Southeast Christian and wants her life to count for God and His people. The Bible says, “Greater love has no man than this than to lay down his life for a friend.” It’s pretty impressive to be so touched by the love of Christ that you’re willing to risk your life and give up a kidney for someone you’ve never met. I’m delighted to report as of this writing the donor is also well on the road to recovery.

I’m reminded again that some of the greatest people in the world are in the church. Hollywood’s stereotype of a church-goer is often that of a fun-hating legalist or a self-centered egotist. But in reality, some of the best people I know, the most genuine and sacrificial people I know are Christians who love the Lord and love His people. And, “love is not self-seeking” (1 Cor. 13:5).

Jesus promised those who make sacrifices without broadcasting it will be openly rewarded one day. “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4).

Jesus promised, “In my Father’s house are many rooms.” I think one of the special rooms in heaven will be a “Hall of Faith” room where selfless followers of Jesus are going to be honored for the behind the scene sacrifices they made on earth. I think some of us who have received an undeserved amount of attention on earth are going to be standing in the shadows applauding while some of the quiet, little-known saints are being esteemed in heaven.

But as for now, it’s time to, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1).

 

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