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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

BLOOD, HOPE

& GRATITUDE

BY PETER STOFFBERG

n the midst of all the fear and chaos that
has engulfed our globe, here’s a story of
Ihope and encouragement. It’s about the
life of James Harrison, and it has so much to
teach us in tough times. Like similar stories,
it’s about overcoming adversity, but it’s about
something more. It’s about the value and the
power of gratitude and of self-sacrificial love.

James underwent serious surgery at the
age of 14. He had much of his lung tissue
removed and needed more than 13 litres
of donated blood to survive. As his father
explained to him how the blood had been JESUS
used to save his life, James made a decision,
in fact he made a commitment. In gratitude for
the blood he had received, he committed to
donating his own blood from the day he was
old enough to do so. His commitment ended
recently at age 81, only because he is no How much more, then, will the blood of Christ,
longer allowed to. who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself unblemished to God,
His world record for the most blood donated
is remarkable, but it’s what’s in his blood cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,
that is more amazing. Doctors isolated rare so that we may serve the living God!
antibodies in James’ blood and have used
them to treat a condition where mothers’
immune systems attack their unborn babies.
His blood has saved the lives of more than HEBREWS 9 v 14
2,4 million babies to date, one of them being
his own granddaughter. He could never have
known this at the age of 14 when he made his
decision of self-sacrificial service.

The Coronavirus has turned our world upside down, Jesus did more than give His blood, He gave
fear has gripped our planet like we have seldom seen. His life. This Easter is going to be unlike
It’s a time of great distress, but also of opportunity. any other in recent history. We may well be
Stories of communities reaching out to each restricted from joining public gatherings to
other in love are also remember His death and resurrection, but
covering the globe. In the perhaps it’s the best time to think about how
midst of tragedy, we have He gave His life to save us, and then to make a
a choice. We can be angry, commitment to serve, in gratitude for what He’s
resentful and selfish, or done.
we could respond like a
14 year old who narrowly May the Lord bless and keep us this Easter and
survived surgery more than may He fill our hearts with gratitude. May He fill
60 years ago. us with the desire to show His love to a world
that desperately needs it, in whatever way we
We can choose to be can.
grateful for what we have,
and find ways to serve
others. Many unnamed
people gave blood to
save James Harrison.
In gratitude to them, he
committed to a life of giving
of himself to save others.

We'd love to hear from you on family@4waysunited.org.za.
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