Where Are You?

When Troy answered the phone I was left wondering exactly what to say. “Troy, this is Dan Wolgemuth… where are you?”

Seems like an odd question to ask when you call someone… “Where are you?”… but it’s absolutely necessary in this mobile world.

Troy confirmed what I had suspected. He was in Rochester, Minnesota with his daughter, Emily. About a year ago Troy had updated me on the kidney condition of his teen-aged daughter. At that point she was coping with the uncertainty, pain and issues that accompany a bout with physical illness.

The progression of the condition had now propelled Emily to Mayo Clinic from their home in North Dakota. Troy described the treatment plan… it included removing both kidneys in mid-February and then a return visit to Rochester for a transplant of one of his healthy kidneys into his 16-year-old daughter in mid-March.

I prayed with Troy, and even spoke briefly with Emily. The next day the procedure to remove her badly damaged organs came off without a hitch.

Emily is now working to regain her strength before she endures another significant surgery… and Troy, the father and organ donor… he’s taking care of himself with more vigilance than at any other time in his life. As it turns out, Troy is the holding tank for an organ that will soon belong to someone else. I’m sure that Troy typically takes reasonably good care of himself, but now this care is at a new level… not for himself, but for Emily. He is a living steward of what will soon be his daughter’s.

Troy’s kidney is really no longer his own, even before it gets physically transferred. Troy knows that it belongs to Emily… and so he’s guarding and caring for it with more intensity than at any other time in his life.

Stewardship has launched a new level of oversight, care and discipline.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

In all things a steward. May our lives reflect the passion, dedication and tenderness of people that understand that we are carriers of the good gifts of God.

With purpose, delight and a compelling desire to guard the life and love that our Father has deposited within us. May we live in this light. Just like my friend, Troy.

Thanks, Troy, for showing the way. Our love and support is with you and Emily.