The average adult-sized female heart weighs between eight and ten ounces. Today, my heart feels as though it is massed at eight to ten pounds. It is heavy. It hurts...it aches.
But not for me. I just took my healthy and vibrant five-year-old daughter to preschool and spent time tickling and chasing my son, who will soon be two.
Today, my heart...my thoughts...my prayers...are with some parents who are experiencing a pain that I cannot fathom. Today, I am praying for some very sick little children.
Today, I am praying Noah.
Noah is the 3 year-old (I know, he does look like a five-year-old...he weighed nearly 11 pounds a birth) son of my friend Jeni, and he has been recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Stage II type A). Noah has had his first round of Chemo this week, and the little man has been experiencing some heavy-duty side-effects. Please read his story here. Additionally, Jeni's family is sill grieving the loss of her infant daughter Hazel, who died within the womb last year. Again...this is pain that I cannot imagine.
Today, I am praying for Peter.
Peter is only two months old. He is the nephew of my friend, Dawn. At birth, he was diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect in his heart and an unconnected pulmonary artery. On Tuesday, Peter underwent surgery to correct these life-threatening problems and so far, he has not been responding well to the procedures. At this point, the doctors are not sure that he will survive. For updates on Peter, please click here.
Today, I am praying for Jonathan.
Baby Jonathan was born just two weeks ago on February 16th, and today is undergoing his second surgery. I do not know this little baby or anyone in his family, but I received a prayer request via twitter this morning. After visitng his parent's blog and reading his story, I felt compelled to share it with all of you today. To read more about sweet Jonathan, please click here.
I have so few words, but like the parents of each of the precious children pictured above, I have hope while living in this heartache laden world of ours. This hope exists not because of the wonders of modern technology, nor because of the advances made in medical science. I breathe in hope because amidst the bad, God is good. And His goodness is constant.
Today, will you please join me in praying to the giver of life and sustainer of hope? Will you please pray for these sweet children, their hurting parents, and for others? And during your time of prayer and pleading...will you please remember to praise Him and thank Him...for His goodness and for the truth that even when it makes no sense to us, He does know how to make it all beautiful.
Romans 8:27-29 (New Living Translation)
27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believersa]">[a] in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work togetherb]">[b] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
To read other prayer requests or to list one of your own, please visit Carolina Mama.
22 comments:
lifted up these beautiful babies today. my son was born with a ventricular septal defect too. He is now 17 and doing well, so my heart really went out to this little boy and his family. thank you for sharing their stories!
I am praying right now for all of your request and for a family that is close to me that just lost a baby boy and have the baby's twin sister in NICU. Praying for each one...
Praying for these precious babies and their families today...like you, I can't begin to imagine what they must be going through. Thank you for sharing and inviting us to join you in prayer on their behalf.
Praying for those sweet, sweet babies today.
Praying for each of those dear ones. I don't know any of these babies and my heart is weeping for what they and their families are enduring.
Praying with you and with them. God has gifted you with a very tender heart.
I join you my friend, in praying for these precious ones.
Thank you so much for sharing. My heart breaks for these children and their parents too. Praying.
(coming from Carolina Mama)
I'm adding you & all these precious babies to my prayer list.
I will definitely pray for these children and their families. I can't imagine what all that they are going through. So sad!
Thank you so much for passing along these prayer requests, that we may join in the work God does through life and even death.
You are a blessing to these families and children.
Praying with a heavy heart, but as you said so well... one with Hope.
Darlene
Praying for them all. "...even when it makes no sense to us, He does know how to make it all beautiful. " Amen, sister. Beautiful sentiment!
My heart is heavy along with yours. Sara's comment is very encouraging. God bless the babies and their families.
My prayers are definitely with these little pumpkins and all of those in need.
Love & Smiles,
Wifey
Jesus loves the little children... in prayer, sister!
Oh girl, my heart is breaking for these precious little ones and their families. I can't imagine their pain....but Jesus can. I will pray.
You are doing an amazing work by sharing these stories. Thank you and I will be praying...
May God hold each one and his parents in the palm of His hand.
Heartbreaking stories, Angela. Thanks for letting us know...I will be praying.
Prayers are being lifted for these and other children, parents and families. Reading some of these stories certainly makes one realize how very blessed we are.
I don't have babies, but I have friends with babies. and I can't imagine such heartbreak, even if they live through it - to watch the little one go through such physical hardship...
I ache too when I hear about the pain. I lost a womb baby 1 year ago, and what depths that took me to. But I often feel like that pain was barely scratching the surface of the pain felt by those with born babes and children who are experiencing such difficulty.
All I can say is "Dear God... ".
I'm so thankful that He makes all things good, even in heartache.
Bless you for your merciful heart.
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