John 15:12  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.    ESV

To be asked to make the decision to donate parts of your own or your loved one’s body so that someone or someone else’s loved one can live seems like a no-brainer to some, but to many, this is not an easy decision.  Most of the time these decisions are asked to be made after your loved one has had an unexpected accident, stroke, or fatal incident.  This is a time when your mind is already reeling with grief and loss and nothing makes sense. Many families have asked that a chaplain be with them as they come to terms with their loved one’s death and with help making a decision about organ donation. 

That is why it is important that families have the “donor” talk before these situations occur.  The decision will be easier if the family knows what their loved one’s wishes are. I have had families say, “Well, we know what she would have wanted,; she told us.”   “Maybe something good can come out of all this pain and suffering.” “I feel that another family does not need to go through what I am experiencing with the death of my loved one.”

Several families have asked me what I thought God would say if they chose to donate their loved one’s organs. The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod has this to say:  (This is one paragraph of the resolution. To read the entire resolution go to lcms.org and enter organ donation in the search box.)

 Whereas, We have an opportunity to help others out of love for Christ, through the donation of organs; therefore be it Resolved, That our pastors, teachers, and Directors of Christian Education be encouraged to inform the members of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod of the opportunity to sign a Universal Donor Card (which is to authorize the use of our needed organs at the time of death in order to relieve the suffering of individuals requiring organ transplants); 
 
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod further states: The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod encourages organ donation as an act of Christian love, but this choice is entirely up to the individual and/or his or her family, and should not be a cause of guilt or regret no matter what decision is made. The Bible has nothing specific to say regarding this issue. Therefore, it is a matter of Christian freedom and personal (or family) discretion. 
 
From the recipient’s side, this donation is a miracle. I have witnessed patients so ill they could not sit up on the side of their bed, and days after the transplant they were walking in the hall. Their talk is all of hope and gratitude. 
 
How can you be a donor? 

• Designate your decision on your driver's license
• Tell your family about your donation decision
• Tell your physician, faith leader, and friends
• Include donation in your advance directives, will, and living will

Genesis 3:19 ESV  “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” 
 “And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it”  Ecclesiastes 12:7 ESV