point, but I felt God’s peace surrounding me. “I’m ready.” I glanced at Mom and Easton. “See you on the other side.”
Chapter 26
Easton
Two weeks later…
Maya’s transplant went well, and she was coming home tomorrow. I was grateful for God’s hand on her life, and I would continue to pray that God sustained her through this process. I didn’t know what the future held, but I was thankful God knew, and He would guide us in the path He wanted us to take.
So much had happened lately that I almost lost track of time. My race was in two weeks, and I was as ready as I would ever be. I’d trained six days a week. I did squats, lunges, burpees, and bear crawls in the morning and jogging in the evening. It was excruciating at times, but I’d given it my all, and I was looking forward to bringing this regimen to an end. Not that I didn’t enjoy exercise to a certain extent, but once this was over, I planned on taking a good long rest.
Dad would be proud of my discipline if he were still alive. It was a shame we didn’t do this together before he passed, and I would always regret that, but I was doing it now in his honor.
I’d just showered and dressed and was about to leave for work when I noticed a missed call from Diana Zalinski, the woman who coordinated the matches in the exchange program. She must have called while I was in the shower. I hit play to listen to the voicemail message.
Good morning, Easton. This is Diana Zalinski. I know you said you wanted to wait a month or two before you donate your kidney, but you matched with a man who is in dire need of a transplant this week. No one else in our system is a match for him, and we would greatly appreciate it if you would consider changing your plans for this to work. His situation is deteriorating fast. Please give me a call back as soon as you get this.
Seriously? They were putting this on me after I’d told them I had an important race and wouldn’t be available for at least a month? I couldn’t believe this. I’d worked so hard for this thing and put in hours of grueling training because I wanted Dad to be proud of me. I breathed in and let the breath out slowly, needing a moment to gain control of my emotions.
I sat down on the couch and rested my head in my hands, trying to decide what to do. Did I give up everything I had worked for to help out this guy…this stranger I didn’t know? I was ready and willing to give up a kidney, but I’d been working towards this race for a long time, and it would be anticlimactic to just…let it go. My chest ached with the decision before me, and I found myself feeling resentful. This had been my one priority before Maya and I even started hanging out.
Lord, I’ve been trying to put others’ needs above my own, but what about my own dreams and desires? This race was for me and Dad, and it would kill me to give it up now. How can you ask that of me?
I sat quietly for several minutes until I realized that no answer was forthcoming. I left the house and drove to work, my stomach in knots, feeling irritable and grumpy and in no mood to be around people, but duty called. My phone dinged with a text from Charlotte, but since I was driving, I didn’t read it.
I pulled into the parking lot and reminded myself that this was for Maya. I might be giving my kidney to a stranger, but it was all for her. If only the timing had been better.
Once I parked, I checked Charlotte’s text.
I read these verses this morning and thought of you with your race coming up. I’m praying for you! 1 Corinthians 9:24-25. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
I read it quickly and winced when I realized it had to do with a race. God, are you trying to mock me? This is too much.
I headed into the building and went straight to