the Lord gives, the Lord takes away

This morning I am reflecting on yesterday.

Yesterday morning Chris Wall called me to tell me about the benefit concert for Lynlee McClure we had at the CUBE Thursday evening. For those who don't know, Lynlee has been awaiting a lung donor, as her fibrostic lungs were only 20%. Thus the concert,raising money to help. Many of Lynlee's family are in our church, including Steve and Georgeanne Duty, who are in our community group. Our group has prayed for Lynn weekly for several months.

Teri and I couldn't make the concert because of Taylor's (incredibly loooong) soccer banquet. We wanted to be at the concert and not at the .... I won't go there. So I was anxious to hear how the night went.

Chris told me God showed up in BIG way. The concert was packed, many different churches participated. Jami Smith and Kristi Starling were incredible. But the kicker- toward the end of the concert during a very special moment of worship, Lyn's beeper went off.

Her donor lungs are on the way to Baptist Hospital.

The crowd gathered around Lynlee, laid hands on her and prayed. She and her family rushed to the hospital. The crowd continued to worship and give Him praise. God in His bountiful mercy and sovereign grace chose the moment when her friends and family were gathered around her in worship to give her this precious gift.

After hanging up with Chris, I went to the bedroom to give Teri a report. I had trouble finishing the story.

Dang that soccer banquet, both of us agreed.

On my way to Baptist to check on Lynlee, I get a tearful call from my mother. Bill Smoot, mom and dad's close friend and small group leader, body racked with cancer, is closing in on death.

Bill is one of the God's choicest servants. Hall of Fame OSU wrestler. Godly father, husband, servant of Jesus. A man's man. Bill is the kind of guy who never complains... loves everyone. He loves his family, his friends, his church. He loves his pastor.

I am not ready for Bill to go.

At the hospital the McClure/Diefenderfer/Duty family is ecstatic. The surgery is a success. She has major hurdles to overcome but so far so good. Lynn's lungs are at 98% capacity! We pray, we rejoice. We give Him praise. The doctor pulls out pictures of the before lungs and the new ones. The contrast is shocking.

The old set of lungs are lumpy, diseased. The shape reminds me of molded caulfower. The new set is healthy and clear. We are in awe. It is a miracle that she made it this far.

Thank you God for your goodness and your timing.

From the hospital I go the see Bill. He is unresponsive- only hours away. I pray with Dewanna and Bills two sons. On the way home I reflect on my conflicted emotions. Bill is ready to go. God is calling him home. The family is lovingly releasing him.

There is another family at the hospital that is holding on and trusting God for His miraculous healing and His will.

There is still another family we don't know who has suffered deep loss, and yet there selfless donation in a time of grief has saved a life.

The LORD your God is with you. He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17).

The song Jami was singing when they got the call was "Wash Over Me":

Wash over me wash over me
Wash over me wash over me
Rain down Your favor on us
Lavish Your love upon us
Pour out Your presence on us
Let me taste Your mercy in the rain

Only You can take this heart
Only You can take this mind
Only You can take this life
And make it look like Jesus

A few minutes ago I got the word that Bill has gone home.

The Lord gives. The Lord takes away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.