RESPECT J.C.

Book of Remembrance--4 Years Later

respectjc | September 15, 2008 20:56

Today is a special day in my families life. Today is the fourth anniversary of my fourth kidney transplant. I want to lift up in prayer the family who will also remember the loss of that special loved one that passed to be able to donate me a kidney. But, I as I sit here and think about it, I wanted to put it in a "Book of Remembrance" form.

Chapter One--March , 1979--Diagnosed with kidney failure at the age of 16 years old, after faking sick during football practice one day. The coach told me I had to see the doctor for a complete physical before he would let me play. The complete physical turned into a three week stay in the hospital, diagnosing me with kidney failure. At age 16, it was like a death sentence. I praise God for coaches, because without Coach Walls, I would have never found out until maybe too late. I praise You Lord.

Chapter Two--May 31, 1981--Graduated my senior year, after missing my Junior year of high school with a home bound teacher. The doctor put me on tons of steroids trying to slow down the process of losing my kidneys. Didn't work, just gained from 180 pounds to 340 in six months. Couldn't find clothes to wear. I praise God for the teacher who was on maternity leave with her precious child, that I could go to each week, and continue my classes.

Chapter Three-June, 1981--Started on dialysis. The first day was rough. When I stood up after I was done, my pants hit the floor. So much fluid they pulled off of me. I praise God for dialysis nurses who have to have that special kind of love and care for the ones that they take care of.

Chapter Four-November 4, 1981--First kidney transplant!!! This kidney came from my mom. It only took for six months, before it was bad. Found out, that my mother was the carrier of the gene that killed my kidneys to begin with. Was in the hospital from October 31, 1981, until January 28, 1982. Not much being couped up, but roommate Mark was cool, and for an 18 year old boy, the nurses were good friends. I praise God, for a momma who loves so much that she would give a part of her, to help her son. Even though it didn't take, I praised God for the opportunity.

Chapter Five--August 1982--Second Transplant!! This time it was from my brother, and it lasted four years. Wasn't in the hospital as long this time. My brother was in worse shape than I was. He was in more pain than I was. I praise God for a brother, just like God's Word says that was willing to lay down his own life for a brother. Thank you Bro, and Happy Birthday today also.

Chapter Six--March 24, 1984--Married the girl of my dreams. The soul-mate that God had created from the beginning of time for me. I praise God for my wife, who has stuck through with me through the years. Through the sickness, through the good times, and through mostly bad times. But God gave her strength to endure what was planned for me. Thank you Christine. Also, an added note to this chapter, our precious Erica was born on April 12, 1985. God made me whole, so we could have a blessed child. The doctors said I would never father a child, due to the medicines I was on. But God proved once again, that man's wisdom is not Godly wisdom.

Chapter Seven-- Don't actually remember the date, but my uncle was trying to give me a kidney, but after they had prepped and gave him his enema, they found out that he could not be used. I praise God for an Uncle who loved so much too, that he would give to a nephew. He has gone on from this world, and I love his family so much and pray for them daily.

Chapter Eight--Thanksgiving Day 1989--Received the call after being back on dialysis for three years, that a kidney was waiting for me in Birmingham again. What a wonderful Thanksgiving gift that our God gives to those who love Him and worship Him, but also believe that He can heal. I praise You my Jesus. Kept this kidney this time 8 years. And another added note to this chapter, was the blessed coming of our second daughter, Amber. Who once again, God made me whole to bring forth life into this world.

Chapter Nine--September 15, 2004--After being on dialysis again for seven years, God granted me a miracle. And a miracle this one was. The doctors said again that there was a 1% chance of receiving a fourth transplant. I rebuked it, and told them to watch what my God can do, because He is a 100% God. The week before we received the phone call, we began to see God work. Through the fasting and praying of my wife, and the moving of the Holy Spirit, the night of September 13, we went to bed, and I told my wife that the phone was going to ring tonight. And sure enough, at 2:00 a.m. on the morning of the 14th, we received a call from the organ bank, that they had a kidney for me. As I was writing down information in my office, our youngest daughter, Amber, came out of her room crying hysterically. We asked her what was wrong, and she said she had just dreamed that Daddy had received a kidney. And we were able to tell her what God had done, and that it was not a dream. We went on down to Birmingham twelve hours later, and on the morning of the 15th. I was being dialyzed before surgery, when the doctor came in, and said he needed me, that he was ready. And I said does that mean it is a go? And the doctor came over and placed his hand on my feet, and proceeded to tell me the following,"You once told me that God would hand pick you a kidney. Well, He has! The kidney matches perfect, like it was your identical twin brother" Praise God for miracles that never cease!!!

Conclusion--There is really no conclusion to this story, and I am sure that I could write about thirty more chapters in between those that I have written, of what God has done for me and my family. People ask me if I could change the books, or the chapters of my life, would I? I tell them NO--because God laid these chapters out for me, even before time began, and He knew that story that I would write about and tell about. What My God Has Done For Me! And what He can do for You. No matter what you are facing or going through, remember that God knew it was all going to happen, and he wrote those events long before you were ever born. He has written the beginning and He has written the ending, but it is up to us how we fill in between.

May God bless each of you, and always keep you thoroughly in His Grip,

Peace and Blessings-Jeff