We needed a miracle, an enormous sacrifice given by someone else, or Martin, the man I had waited so long to marry, would die. This wasnOo?t the first time that my plans for life and the LordOo?s plans for my life didnOo?t match. Instead of getting married at nineteen like I'd expected, I found myself with a career I had never wanted and didnOo?t find my husband until I was in my thirties. Now, less than fourteen years later, my husbandOo?s life was threatened. Sometimes itOo?s hard to trust the LordOo?s plans for me. For years, Martin had suffered from an unknown illness that devastated our family, finances, and future. When he received a diagnosis of kidney failure, it came with the promise of imminent death if he didnOo?t receive a transplant. Though IOo?m terrified of needles, blood, hospitals, and all things medical, I donated my kidney to save my husbandOo?s life. During the agonizing months of his dialysis and my compatibility testing, we were amazed at the numerous ways the SaviorOo?s life and mission mirrored our experiences. To cite two examples, just as MartinOo?s life could only be saved by the sacrifice of someone else, our own lives are only saved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. An organ donor is required to be enough like the recipient yet physically able to donate, just as Jesus Christ had to be both like us and be a God in order to accomplish the atonement. By looking at these experiences as a reflection of Jesus Christ, I grew to love Him more. By loving Him more, I trusted Him more. By trusting Him more, I have found that my life is happier and more peaceful. Though my story is unique, the ability to find the Savior in our every-day lives is common. In sharing our experiences and insights, I hope others can find greater trust in Jesus Christ and His plans for them.
