Giving Thanks by Giving Life: How a Simple Choice Led to a Miracle

Honoring November’s Spirit of Gratitude

To honor November’s spirit of gratitude, I’m looking back at my kidney donation story from nine years ago. It’s a powerful reminder of how much we truly have to be thankful for—not just for what we receive, but for what we’re able to give.

This month, I’m sharing a four-part series that revisits my journey of living kidney donation—from the first spark of curiosity to the deep gratitude that still shapes my life today.

➡️ Want the whole story? Click here to read all four parts in one place.

A Small Thought That Wouldn’t Let Go

Like many life-altering stories, this one started small—with a fleeting thought, a casual conversation, and a dismissal.

I remember hearing about a woman named Katherine, who desperately needed a kidney transplant. I had a brief, internal moment where I wondered, “Could I do that?” But my thoughts were quickly rationalized away. I was told we likely had different blood types, and I convinced myself my initial impulse was just a kind thought—not a call to action.

Then I moved on. I forgot about it entirely, going back to my busy life.

A Second Chance to Say Yes

Two months later, something happened that changed everything.

At the time, I was leading the Prayer Team at my church, and one afternoon I received an email from another leader. It was a request for prayer for Katherine, who was now in kidney failure and urgently in need of a transplant.

That brief, dismissed thought from months earlier came rushing back. I read the email, and an undeniable burden settled in my heart. It wasn’t pity or even sympathy—it was a deep, unshakeable compulsion to do something.

I knew I couldn’t just forward the email and forget it again. I had to know what the process was. My initial reply was cagey, asking a general question about “how one would go about donating a body part for Kat.” I was dancing around the idea, trying to protect myself from the massive commitment I knew I was considering. But within a few emails, I realized I couldn’t hide behind general inquiries anymore. I had to take the jump. I had to make the confession.

“I am asking about the process because I am considering being a donor.”

That one sentence changed everything.

My Kidney Donation Story Continues

That confession wasn’t just a step forward; it was a moment of surrender. Saying yes to the idea of donating a kidney felt both terrifying and undeniably right.

It set off what I described at the time as “an incredible eruption of many different emotions.” There was fear, yes—but underneath it was a quiet gratitude that I was healthy enough to even have this choice.

What followed was a long series of medical tests—bloodwork, imaging, psychological evaluations—all designed to ensure I was healthy and strong enough for surgery and to thrive afterward with one kidney.

Every step felt like confirmation. My heart was at peace. I wasn’t just giving an organ—I was stepping into a deeper level of trust and obedience.

Gratitude That Still Grows Nine Years Later

Now, nine years later, this experience continues to shape my understanding of gratitude.

I am profoundly grateful that I listened to that still, small voice—that inner nudge that wouldn’t go away. I’m grateful for the health that made donation possible, for the medical team that made it safe, and for the friendship that has grown out of this shared story.

Katherine is thriving, and our connection has become a beautiful, enduring friendship—one that reminds me every year that gratitude is meant to overflow.

This season, I’m thankful not just for what I have, but for the chance to give something that changed two lives forever.

If my kidney donation story sparks even a flicker of curiosity in your heart, know that the path begins with a simple conversation.

💬 Thinking about becoming a donor? Reaching out to talk with someone who has donated is a wonderful first step. I’d be honored to share more privately about my experience—just send me a message.

To learn more about becoming a living donor or understanding the process, visit the National Kidney Donation Organization page.