There was a man from Australia whose name was James Harrison. When He was fourteen years old, he had to undergo a major chest surgery, resulting in him needing major blood transfusions. Now to be so young and having to endure a massive surgery and blood transfusions is overwhelming. However, in gratitude to the donors in which he received blood from, he made an oath; when he turned eighteen, he too would donate. James committed to his word, did exactly that, but more. He started donating, later mostly plasma, and in his blood, it was discovered he carried antibodies that would be used to help prevent against haemolytic diseases in newborns. In other words, his life saving gift, saved babies from passing away, stillbirths, sickness and disabilities. He chose to stick to donating plasma as then he could save more lives, as he could donate plasma more often. He donated every couple of weeks or so until he was forced to stop at age 81. Through all of the years of his giving he saved approximately 2.4 million babies lives during the course of his donating. Fun fact, even saving some of his lineage. I am sharing this story with you my friend because sometimes we go through hard things and we wonder what the purpose is in them; though there is always one. James Harrison went through a very scary ordeal, but because of it, it led him to be used to save so many babies lives with their whole future ahead of them. I imagine that God did great things through many of these babies lives that were saved. Sometimes we don’t know why God allows things to happen, but we can be assured whether we see it, like James, or we don’t; there is a purpose in it. My husband wrote down a quote and posted it on my bookshelf, “God doesn’t waste pain.” A reminder that even when we go through hard things, the pain is not wasted, even when the season may be difficult. If you find yourself or a loved one struggling, keep your head up, God has a plan for it. Trust Him.

Erin Fitts-Brower

His plan and purpose

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.