Worth Reposting: The Legacy of Aaron Webster
Yesterday afternoon, I had the challenging responsibility of preaching the Memorial Service for 20-year-old Aaron Webster. Aaron’s life was taken through an automobile accident. While his family prayed at his side in the hospital for a miracle, it did not happen the way they had so prayed for it to happen. The miracles came through his death and I want to tell you about them.
Before I tell you about those miracles, I want to insure you understand that his family has confidence that Aaron knew Christ personally. Aaron is in heaven today. He is in the presence of God today. It was this assurance that calmed the broken hearts of Aaron’s parents, his fiancee, his two sisters and family. Being blessed with God’s peace about where he is today, let me tell you about the other miracles that happened through his death. Get ready: what a story!
Aaron was an organ donor. Ten percent or less of the people who give organs upon their death are able to give all that Aaron was able to give. Aaron was very special and in his death, God even affirmed that more. These miracles happened through Aaron’s death. When Aaron died, he gave much away and miraculously, all of the beneficiaries of his organ donations are progressing at this point.
What did he give to people?
*Aaron gave his heart to a 32-year-old man in Texas
*Aaron gave his liver to a 55-year-old man in Arkansas
*Aaron gave one lung to a 61-year-old man in Wisconsin
*Aaron gave one lung to 70-year-old man in Illinois
*Aaron gave one kidney to a 15-year-old girl in Arkansas
*Aaron gave one kidney to a 9-year-old boy in Arkansas
*Aaron gave intestine/pancreas to a 56-year-old man in Pennsylvania
Additionally, the corneas of his eyes will be placed soon and will give sight to the blind. Powerfully, grafts of his skin will provide skin grafts for 200 children who have suffered severe burn or accidents.
Therefore, all of these people have become beneficiaries of Aaron’s death. While this brings the Webster family comfort, their hearts still break with major pain as anyone’s would in the loss of a child.
His family shared with me the other day: “While we prayed by his side for a miracle, we did not get our miracle, but others did.” Yes, many others received their miracles through Aaron’s death. Sitting in Texas, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, there were individuals and families praying for a miracle. Yes, God gave them their miracle. May it all bring God glory in this deep moment of loss and sadness for Aaron’s family. I cannot even imagine the pain they must feel. May God give them the power to praise Him in the midst of this storm.
Thank God for miracles that can happen, even through death.
What an amazing story Pastor. Thank you for sharing in such detail.
I am so sorry for this dear family and can’t imagine their grief, but Oh how God is glorified! I pray that God would find me faithful and use me – every part of me – for His glory.
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
(Phil 1:20-21 NIV)
Aaron was a friend to myself and many others. He was a kind soul with a deep desire for goodness. He stuggled and I was one of several people that saw the struggle first hand for a time in his life. His parents are people that stand steady in the midst of hurt, pain, and loss. I was able to see that also these past few weeks but also for years prior. A week after the memorial service, I still think about all hope that we had for his life but I now know that God had a different set of hopes for Aaron’s life. May his life continue to affect the world for God and His saving grace. Aaron will always be loved and never to be forgotten! Thank you, Pastor, for the words and the remembrance of my dear friend.
Pastor Floyd – Thank you so much for not only posting Aaron’s story but also for leading the celebration of his life. Please give Jeff and Teena a long-distance hug from all of us here in Michigan who long to be there to help. I thank the Lord, our God, that you are a part of their lives during this difficult season. Peace and joy to you and your ministry.
This was truly an amazing story. I am a kidney transplant recipient (my daughter unselfishly donated a kidney to me in December 2008). This was a very bittersweet time for me as my 38 year old son is currently on the transplant list and continues to have dialysis. He had complete kidney failure at 19 years of age. He received a live doner organ which lasted 6 years. Went back on dialysis for 2 years then received a cadaver doner organ which rejected immediately. My thanks and prayers to the family that so willingly gave of their son all that could be given to give others life. My son is back on dialysis and continues to wait for a “perfect match” so he can live a normal life again. Thank you and prayers to all.
I was truly blessed yesterday by Aaron’s parents. I lost my husband two weeks ago, and was so shocked to come back to work to find an envelope on my desk. I opened it up to find this beautiful card written by his parents, who took the time to give me so much comfort during my grieving process. It just shows that this family is truly amazing.
My nephew was the one who received Aaron’s liver. I cannot express how grateful our whole family is for Aaron and his family giving the ultimate gift of life. I know my nephew and his wife have prayed daily for Aaron’s family although they didn’t know at the time who they were. May God comfort them in their grief.