A heart-wrenching story coming out of Toronto. (See the Toronto Star article)
Two babies are in intensive care, one that will only survive if given a new heart; another with a strong heart, but no chance of survival.
The latter child, Kaylee, was taken off life support, so that her heart could be donated to baby Lillian. Kaylee shocks doctors as she hangs on to life, and according to hospital protocol she can no longer be a candidate for organ donation.
The longer Kaylee stays alive, the less viable her heart becomes for transplant.
Kaylee’s father is quoted as being very upset, not because his child remains alive, but because his daughter’s heart is still good, and their only comfort would be to donate it to baby Lillian who is desperately in need of a new heart.
Besides all the legal and ethical implications of all of this, a few thoughts…
What must it be like, to hope for the death of your own child, so that another might live?
What must it be like to want to give the most precious gift possible (the very heart of your own child), and not be able to do so?
When God and all his angels watched Christ die upon the cross, was there any doubt that life could only come through death?
If this transplant ever does go through, what would it be like for Kaylee’s parents, seeing that other child as they grow up? I imagine some type of deep and special connection, knowing that their dead child’s heart, remains alive beating within another little girl.
Could that be the way God the Father sees us, knowing that a part of his son and his sacrifice, beats within all of us?
by Lon on January 21, 2009
Right now I’m leading a church plant, developing two other church plants/communities, throwing a giant party, launching a web startup, on the board of my condo, helping fuel the faith, arts, justice movement in Toronto, all while cultivating my amazing family and the great relationships God’s blessed me with.
I think I’m grazing past the overcommitted line.
There’s several other projects in the pipe I’m love to get on, and I do still have some buffer space… but if I go for them, something’s going to need to be pushed back or completely dropped.
Here’s to not doing anything else these next six months.
by Lon on September 26, 2008
Lots of great connections this past week, I don’t know how I’ve managed with my daughter tagging along full time the last while!
Excellent video skype chat with Jay Lee, church planter of Catalyst GTA of Every Nation ministry. If you’re in the UT area, check’em out.
Had a great call from Marty Schmidt the coolest person I know in all of Iowa. If you’re every in Iowa (flyover land I believe they call it, so I don’t know why you’d be there), check out his church plant – the bridge.
My fellow leader at Mosaic just opened up Kneadings Bread & Cafe this week. If for some reason, you’re in newmarket you need to drop in (that means you JD).
Attended the starfish network gathering of ontario house churches. If you’re interested you need to connect with Rad Zdero of housechurch.ca
Just got a note from friend Alex McManus to join the imn immersion (it’s been on my things to do for a few years now) but sadly won’t be able to participate this round. If you’re able to make it to florida in february you need to be a part of fight4humanity.com
Attended Vision360 for Toronto Canada yesterday. If you’re interested in city-engaging church planting in the GTA you need to get connected with these guys asap. Let me know too, because I’m still looking for a team of people myself as well. It was hilarious hearing leaders talk about advancing the kingdom and changing the world while Stellar scurried around with her stuffed monkey.
that’s all for now, tune in for more name dropping next week…
