Day 0

A chemo-depleted and germ-vulnerable body receives a bone marrow transplant… Day 0.

The intensity of the cancer battle before the physiological reset button is pushed has been nearly unthinkable. An assault of nearly fatal proportion has led up to this. The annihilation of cancer cells takes with it many healthy civilian cells.

With a body on the brink… reinforcements. Healthy cells.

The body reboots.

Mary and I walked into the sterile hospital room of Lindsey Bills at Oregon State University Hospital in Portland… the view of the city landscape was breathtaking, but it was the view of this twenty-one-year-old that captivated us. It’s been 23 months since doctors informed Lindsey that she had cancer.  Twenty-three intense, uncertain, treatment-filled, and prayer-dependent months. Then reset.

We walked into the room on Day +7. A week. A hard week. A hope-filled week.

Like Mission Control on the post launch watch, all eyes are on the key health indicators. Lindsey fights with all the energy her body can muster. Friends and family cheer. Friends and family pray.

What was immediately clear was that while this was Day 0 in medical terms… this was far from Day 0 in spiritual terms. Lindsey’s soul is strong and vibrant and seasoned and tested and beautiful. While deadly doses of chemo decimated Lindsey’s hair, her soul has flourished. There was no reset to her faith. She believes and trusts and hopes and depends… on the God who loves her; the God who made her for a unique purpose.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. ~ Ephesians 2:10

Good things. Not in spite of the cancer, but in the middle of it.

Lindsey’s Day 0 with Jesus gave her a purpose and plan in life that transcends her cancer; it extends beyond bone marrow, it thrives in Christ.

On Day +7 Mary and I saw it in Lindsey’s eyes. We witnessed it in her smile. We embraced it in her tears.

On Day 0 a fragile body was built on top of a solid foundation. Vulnerable physically, untouchable spiritually. Lindsey impacted us to the core.

Beautiful. Resilient. Susceptible to infection; alive in Christ.

Lindsey Bills… courageous. Young. Beautiful. Healthy beyond words.