Thursday, April 16, 2009

Stellan's Heart

I'm stepping out of my blogging break for a few minutes to make a quick post and ask you to continue to pray for little Stellan. The latest news is that he has just arrived in Boston and is getting settled into a new hospital where he's been scheduled for a very risky heart surgery in a few days. Although I know his family is trusting God, I also know that they are human and would greatly appreciate your kind thoughts and prayer.

Like most of you, I've only been following Stellan's journey for less than a year now, and even had to play catch up on the story of his prenatal heart condition when I first found MckMama's blog. Stellan and his family have certainly been on a crazy, unforeseen rollercoaster...but, there is One Who has known all along all that Stellan has and will experience on his journey of life.

The following is one of my favorite parts of the Bible. It's something that I prayed many times a year and a half ago while Gwyneth was growing in her mother's womb and while things appeared so uncertain for us. I was reading some old blog posts of mine earlier, and I came accross this again, and immediately thought of Stellan, especially when I read verse one...

1 O Lord, You have examined my heart
and know everything about me.

2 You know when I sit down or stand up.

You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

3 You see me when I travel

and when I rest at home.

You know everything I do.

4 You know what I am going to say

even before I say it, Lord.

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

16 You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in Your book.

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.


Psalm 139:1-4, 13-16 (New Living Translation)

To believe that God has already examined Stellan's little heart and that He knows the outcome of this part of His journey is, simply, amazing.

Nate

43 comments:

Kristi Bowers said...

We are praying over here in Oklahoma! Thanks for sharing this!

Roetta said...

Nathan, I too found Stellan's site
a little over a year ago--about the same time as I found yours.
I too love those verses and I pray them for my son--even though I know that his life is already written. My son is 32 yrs. and starting his journey, led by God, to be a Congresman. We never need to stop praying for our children. Life's journey is amazing.
Wish you could know my son--his life is amazing as well. Go to his website (mannforcongress.com) and at least get a glimpse of him. God is in control!! I love that!!
I am praying for Stellan and your
family.
Roetta

Coffespaz said...

Brilliant Nate!! I'm going to post something later too...the more warriors on this the better.

Salome Ellen said...

Praying in Michigan since you mentioned Stellan some time ago. Thanks for the link and tweets. What a joy to see the body of Christ coming together over "vast" distances to intercede for needs few of us would have ever heard of even five years ago.

Anonymous said...

God is sooo good. Praying for staying...and for your sweet Gwenyth!

Christy said...

Prayers from KY too. God is an awesome God.

Blessedw5mom said...

No one could have said it better Nate. Amen!!!! Thank you so much for helpin to spread the word about Stellan and asking so many to pray.

Oh what an awesome God we serve!!!
Bless you!
Heather @
http://growing-in-rejoicing.blogspot.com/

Laura said...

Praying here too!!

Anonymous said...

I have been praying for him for a while now. God bless his little heart and his Mommy, Daddy, brothers and sister too!

Mrs. H said...

perfect! praying in tx!

mom nana nelson said...

Nathan I have been following Stellans journey since "introduced" by you last yr.
I ck Mckmama's blog at least a few times each day-night.
While reading your post on Stellan I had to stop & compose myself, while reading

Psalm 139:1-4, 13-16 - New Living Translation

It just fits so perfectly right now in Stellan's life.

Michelle and Family said...

Many prayers for him and his family!

Ginger said...

I started praying for Stellan, when you posted about it, and have been ever since. Nate you are all such an amazing, truly amazing example of how Christians should act. I have learned so very much from your blog. With all that you have gone through, yet, you still take the time to pray for others. We ( people in general) get so caught up in the Me, Myself and I attitude that we forget about our neighbor a few thousand miles away that needs prayer. With your life, with your wife and daughter, it would be so easy to get caught up in just you day to day stuff. Yet, you take the time to come on here and say hey look, this little boy needs prayers, or this person needs prayers. Amen!

Mrs. Wilson said...

I've been following his journey as well. Can't imagine going through that with my child.

Thanks for the update.

auntrene said...

We are praying for Baby Stellan here in OHio, as well as his family, and I also always remember your family in my prayers each day.

pam said...

It's amazing what people have to go through...I think I took our girls health for granted. I follow another little guy, http://gavinowens.blogspot.com/,
who has had a ton of his organs removed trying to help his medical problem and it amazes me how God gets parents through. It's a privilege to pray

Laura said...

Praying for Stellan diligently. He's now local to me, but CHB is the BEST place for him, I truly believe that. I also truly believe that he will get fantastic care and they will, with the guidance from above, heal this precious boy.

Judy said...

That is the perfect verse for sweet Stellan! Thanks for sharing! I just love how God is using the internet to connect the body of Christ and bring legions of prayer warriors together! You were the first family that I started praying for over a year ago and now I've found many others including Stellan and my sweet little cousin Olivia who that verse fits perfectly too (she is fighting for her life right now too with numerous heart conditions and leukemia)! Thanks for being so open on your journey with Tricia and Gwyneth b/c I think it's encouraged others to do the same!

Patience Leino said...

We're following his journey closely & praying for his healing.

staci said...

prayers from south carolina

The Beaver Bunch said...

Amen.

purejoy said...

joining you in praying for our little mckmiracle (because like many, i consider that little guy, "ours" almost like i think of "our gwyneth!")
thanks for passing this story on. i know many folks follow you.
blessings to you on your blogbreak.

Anonymous said...

Have been praying & will continue to pray here in Missouri.

Anonymous said...

Dear God please look after little sweet Stellan and make his little heart strong and healthy. This boy has pulled every heart string I have.
Lori

Sheryl said...

amen!! so well said. i am glad we have a Father that is not surprised and who truly has it all under control!

Anothermadhousewife said...

My son and I are memorizing this Psalm! My kids were horrified (to the tune of, "You can KEEP your $10. That is TOO LONG to memorize!")when I read all 24 verses to them. But we're taking it verse by verse, and the 10 year old is smoking me. We're up to verse 12!

Anothermadhousewife said...

. . .Also praying for Stellan, by the way.

Tara said...

Praying for Stellan here in Minnesota.

Jane said...

following and praying since his RSV in December.
yes, that verse does fit him well... however we all need to look in the mirror and realize that it applies to each of us. each day. and imagine, He still LOVES us on those days that we aren't so lovable.

Hilary said...

Thank you so much for your prayers! I can't wait until Stellan and my sister are back home....I am blessed by everyone's prayers and support.

Missy said...

Praying for Sweet Stellan.

Amy said...

I've been following this story as well... watching that little guy board the airplane on the news video just made me tear up. What a journey they are on. Her faith is outstanding and admirable, much like yours. I will continue to hold them, as well as you and your family, in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Praying for Stellan and his family not only here on your blog,but also on facebook.

Nate,that verse is so fitting in Stellan's life right now. Thank you for taking a short blog break so that others around the globe are able to send out prayers to this precious little boy and his family.

~Darlene

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

Love that choice of scripture...

and praying for "all" of you, too!

Courtney said...

We are thinking warm thoughts and sending prayers from Knoxville, TN!

Rachel Dominguez said...

I have been praying for Stellan for months now and continue to do so daily. Thanks for this post!

Anonymous said...

When I heard Building 429 song Always, I thought of Stellan I have a great uncle named Stellan. Who was awesome

Jen said...

I've also been following Stellans story for a few months.. my 8mo old daughter is sick too (a genetic disorder), so many of the things she says, I understand and sympathize..its an awful feeling to know you cant help your baby when they are so weak and helpless.. but they are not alone.. there is hope in our Lord and while we may not understand, I just have to have faith that there is a greater plan/ purpose..and one day, maybe not on this earth, we will be granted understanding.. anyhow..thank you for posting the update and sharing the verses!

Unknown said...

Amen.

Those verses came alive.

Karen said...

come back...i miss y'all

Emily B. said...

Praying for this adorable little boy! Thanks for posting that Psalm, it's beautiful!

CulyQFun said...

Wonderfully written. Thanks for posting that verse in that translation!

Kim B said...

Thanks for sharing about Stellan's mommy's site.....its new to me and I have been praying since you posted about them.