Story of the Week: Standing on God

Barbara DiVesta shares how the Lord is her firm foundation even in the midst of pain and tribulation.

“I don’t like asking somebody to buy me a coffee, let alone ‘Can I have a body part?’ It’s kind of a tough ask,” Barbara DiVesta shares. Although her health journey has been deeply difficult, she has come to trust the Lord through it all, and to value the support of caring community.

BACK TO THE BEGINNING

Barbara was raised in a home where church was a core part of the weekly rhythm. She accepted Christ when she was around 12 years old.

She met her husband, Dave, at Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, where they were married 44 years ago. After a brief stint in California, they moved to Colorado Springs and began attending Woodmen in 1996. She’s a retired nurse and has three amazing children and four wonderful grandchildren.

As a young adult, Barbara was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. Since then, her kidney function has slowly declined. “There’s no cure,” she explains. “The two options for treatment are either dialysis or a transplant.” Barbara is getting closer to starting dialysis treatments, but she is hoping to receive a transplant before that point.

FINDING COMMUNITY

Five years ago, Barbara joined a women’s Bible study at the Monument campus. These women continue to connect regularly, and they’re a vital source of encouragement for Barbara: “We’ve all been supportive of each other through various things. It’s amazing to have them there.” She’s also part of a Woodmen Community Group, another uplifting presence in her journey.

A few years ago, Barbara received the news that she would be added to the transplant list for a kidney from a deceased donor. While this is a step in the right direction, a kidney from a live donor would provide a much stronger long-term prognosis.

When Barbara’s doctors first gave her a link to share with those who might be interested in donating a kidney to her directly, she was hesitant to share it. Barbara recalls that even with friends in her Woodmen community, it just seemed too awkward or pushy.

On the occasions when she did share her struggles with others, she tried to do so without creating much of a fuss. She says, “I posted it on Facebook, and before that I really hadn’t told anybody.” One of the women from Barbara’s group saw the post and texted her, encouraging Barbara to openly share what she was going through with the group.

CIRCLES OF CARE

When Barbara finally opened up with her Woodmen community, she found herself on the receiving end of support and prayer beyond what she had hoped for or imagined. Barbara keeps an old saying in mind: “Joy shared is doubled, and sorrow shared is halved.”

Although the going hasn’t gotten easier for Barbara as the years have gone by, she’s grateful to have friends to lean on. She knows they’re consistently lifting her up in prayer.

Last year, another health concern took precedence. Barbara was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. “It put my transplant on hold for a while with surgery.” This summer, Barbara received the news that the cancer came back, once again delaying the possibility of a transplant as she awaits a second thyroid surgery in the coming weeks.

Through it all, Barbara has found a deeper trust in the Lord. She’s also come to realize that she can rely on her husband and her community for care and support. Multiple people, including her husband, have gone through the donor process but haven’t made it through to the end.

Her women’s group and community group continue to be a constant source of encouragement. And the prayers continue without ceasing—asking the Lord, in his grace, to provide her a kidney.

THROUGH IT ALL

Barbara encourages everyone to join a community group and find their people. “I don’t think I could have done it without all that support. It’s been awesome to have people you can call up and talk to when you’re feeling down or excited about something.”

Above it all, Barbara finds peace and comfort in the Father’s arms. She has found two major themes that continue to emerge throughout her life: “One is that nothing takes God by surprise. The second is that He may not have promised me a kidney, but He has promised to be with me through it all, so that’s what I stand on. I trust God’s plan is going to be better than whatever I have.”

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