Today is Jace’s heart surgeon’s birthday. As I think about the difference that this man has made in the life of my son, and my family, I am brought to tears. As I reflect on all the ways God has used the surgeon in our lives, I can’t help but feel so thankful and emotional.

It’s not merely the fact that this man is a great heart surgeon, with years of experience, it’s the way he reflects Jesus’ love to his patients and their families that makes him amazing.

We chose the name Jace Leonard a few weeks after we found out that our baby had Hypoplastic Left Heart. A couple weeks after this, at my prenatal cardiology appointment, the cardiologist shared that Jace’s heart surgeon would be Dr. Leonard. Our mouths almost dropped open. We were shocked, but God was not. This was just one of God’s little gifts to us during this time, a reminder that He was with us and He had gone before us. We may have been surprised about this diagnosis, but God was not. He would provide for us, even to the detail of providing a name for our unborn baby.

I’m proud that Jace holds the middle name of such an incredible man and surgeon. I think about the unrushed hours that he spent with us prior to surgery, explaining all the details and making sure that my husband and I felt knowledgeable about what would happen. I think about how he joined us in prayer before both surgeries. I think about the two Willow Tree figurines of a boy holding a heart that are sitting on Jace’s dresser- a gift from his heart surgeon.

Jace’s first open heart surgery was nine hours long and after it was done, Jace was having trouble with his lactate levels- due to the stress of such a big procedure. His surgeon stayed an additional 3-4 hours in Jace’s room, just watching him and making sure that he was stable and doing well. Hours passed, and Dr. Leonard came to my husband and I and said that he felt that Jace was doing better and things were looking good. He said that he was going to go to his Bible study, and that he would come back afterwards to check on Jace. He returned at 9pm to see how Jace was doing. This care and compassion meant the world to us at such a painful time.

I think about the difference that one person can make in this world. The attention to detail and care that this man showed to Jace and our family was truly life changing.

To me, this is such a picture of how our creator cares for us. God cares about the details of our lives. He gives us his undivided and personal attention to our concerns and our worries.

I’m sure that you have had someone in your life that has showed you a glimpse of God. I am blessed to have several people in my life that have showed me different aspects of God’s character. What a glimpse of heaven, right? We all have the power to make a profound difference in the lives of others.

As a parent it is so hard to let go and trust God with our kids. My son’s heart has been in someone else’s hands two times now. I’m thankful and blessed to know that the man who has held my baby’s heart serves the God who formed Jace’s heart.