The need for blood donations is ever increasing in our world it seems.  As I was growing up and until about 20 years ago, you mainly gave blood in a stationary medical facility like the hospital or doctor’s office.  I remember my father getting calls from our local hospital every now and then to donate blood as he as 0 – and that blood type could be used by all recipients regardless of their blood type. I also remember college students or other people maybe down on their luck would donate blood for money which may be used to pay for books or in some cases food.  The last several years, the need for blood has grown and we might get post cards or see bulletins posted, asking for blood.  Almost daily I witness a blood mobile set up in a parking lot of a grocery store, a pharmacy, at our senior communities and at churches like we see in our own parking lot at Joy every six weeks or so.  They offer us promotions and incentives to give blood like gift cards for restaurants, T-shirts, movie ticket vouchers, snacks and of course money as in the past. If this gets people to donate this much needed resource, that is great.

Like many of you, I gave blood as often as I could for many years. I’m not saying this to  make myself appear to be better than anyone else, it was just something I thought was important and even as a poor college student, I didn’t do it for money (although I probably wouldn’t have turned it down if it had been offered). It was a simple act, but a very worthwhile sacrifice for others who were often in life and death situations. That very blood could have helped to save someone’s life.

I am not able to donate blood any longer because of some health issues, but my husband gives blood whenever his time comes around. He has used a lot of that donated blood throughout his life as a result of many surgeries and other health concerns.  He calls it “replenishing the amount he used over his life time”, the blood that saved his mortal life.

While all the blood that has been and will continue to be donated over time is of such monumental importance, there is One in our lives that has given blood for all of mankind. This blood donation was given as a gift of salvation through our faith in Jesus Christ.  This sacrifice of His Son body was God’s greatest endowment to the world. It truly showed His unconditional love for His children…you and I. Salvation comes from God alone and we should be intensely grateful for His merciful compassion toward us, even when we most certainly do not deserve it. This blood saves our eternal lives.

In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)

This powerful verse says it perfectly.  It is perfect as is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ the most important blood donor of all!   Thanks be to God.

Patty