The Faith That Lives Within
It was August 2019, and we were celebrating my father’s 52nd birthday at the lake. It was the day before his dialysis catheter operation. Amid the thick, humid air, hung our frayed nerves, feelings of uncertainty, and a bit of fear. This day was the beginning of what would be a five-year long journey awaiting a kidney transplant. We were uncertain of what was to come, but trusted God’s plans and promises.
I was two months postpartum with my third child and was given the news that due to my Lupus diagnosis, I was unable to donate my kidney to save my father’s life. We clapped and smiled as my father blew out the birthday candle, but behind those smiles my mother, my sisters and I were worried about what was to come.
My father initiated his dialysis the very next day, but after several months his health was deteriorating. He lost his appetite, he lost weight, and he fell into a deep depression because he was a prisoner in his own bedroom. Kidney disease had taken over his life. Seeing my father’s joyful charisma slowly depart from his gaze was the most painful part of it all. Thankfully, throughout all of this, one thing remained the same: his faith.
When I was growing up, my father would rarely outwardly show his love for God. I remember him making the sign of the cross every time we entered a highway, but have very few memories of him attending Mass with the rest of the family. Aside from his joyous demeanor and always smiling at everyone he encountered, I never really saw his religious side. Yet, under his strong character there was a humility that stuck with us all… a humility that goes beyond anything that could be seen… a humility that has taught us all the true surrender to the will of God.
Every hospitalization my father had brought more tears, more prayers, and more trust. God truly gives us our heart’s desires if we have faith in him. Surrendering to God opened the gateway to my father’s divine healing. My father never doubted he would get a transplant. He put his trust in God’s loving presence, promises and power and asked God to do what only he can do.
My father‘s optimism and positiveness were contagious, and we had no choice but to continue believing that God would soon answer our prayers! In the depth of my father’s heart, faith was shining without fear. Even when trials piled up, his faith was enough! That authentic faith found deep within him, taught me that the most intimate relationship with God is what makes us understand he is where our strength, truth, mercy, and grace can be found. Hard circumstances often force us to evaluate our faith. At times, our faith is tired, torn, and tested. These trials gave my father the opportunity to make his connection with God flourish!
On June 22, 2024, I saw the most beautiful words on the screen of my phone. A text sent by my mother read, “We need to go; your dad needs to be admitted for his transplant!” (She had been babysitting my children for the evening and had to arrive at the hospital within the hour.) My heart skipped a beat and I cried like I never had before. My husband and I raced down the highway and made it to my parent’s home to pick up our children. There, we found my dad carrying a hospital bag with a look of relief. My mother and sister accompanied my father, and the next day he received a healthy kidney.
We are so thankful for this second chance in life given to my father. We are thankful for all the prayers and support we have received from so many people throughout these five years. We will be eternally grateful to the generous person who became my father’s organ donor and ask for prayers for his or her soul. This was the miracle for which we will be forever grateful!
My father’s 57th birthday was August 3rd, we again celebrated at the lake. This time, the air was a little thinner, a little lighter, and a little fresher. This time, we celebrated his new chance at life and his new kidney and we thanked God for the wonderful gift.
My father is recovering very well. This miracle has taught us all that God listens to our prayers! Faith lives within each of us in a peculiar way. May our faith guide others to Christ. May it manifest through our actions. Let us all have confidence that when we give our faith credence, it gives us power to overcome all obstacles in life!
Leiri Bocanegra was born in Villalba, Puerto Rico but now resides in Massachusetts with her Husband and four children. Leiri and her husband Gustavo met in their parish youth group, “Agape,” and have been serving together ever since! You can usually find them singing together at church events and retreats! Leiri works as the Coordinator of Outreach and Evangelization for St. Mary’s Parish in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She also has a nursing background in both Geriatrics and Pediatrics. She has been a member of the Holy Family Institute for six years and enjoys Family Ministry. Her biggest accomplishment has been becoming a mother. She enjoys being able to use social platforms to help other Catholic mothers connect and assist one another through the wonderful vocation of motherhood!
