For almost a week, my heart has been heavy over the life of a sweet little 3-year-old boy named Nathan McLean. His Mom and Dad (Brad and Amanda) and their other two children, Jordan, 6, and Greta, almost 1, are members of our church. They are a sweet servant family that came to Louisville for Brad to go to Southern Seminary.
Little Nathan has been dealing with sickness for about a month or so while doctors prodded and tested to figure out the cause. While they ruled other illnesses out, they continued to test to see why he was in pain and running fevers. Last Wednesday he was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, a common childhood cancer. My mind has thought of little else since.
I've run the gamut of emotions from sadness to anger, and the always-asked question...why? I don't always understand why things like this happen, but I rest in the fact that God is in control of all things....even this dark time in the McLeans life.
The uplifting part of this story (if there is anything uplifting) is the wonderful and gracious love that is flowing to the family from our church and all over the world. Thanks to technology, a website has been established by some of their good friends at our church to update us on Nathan's progress and allow guests to leave messages. There are meals being coordinated and other volunteers stepping up to do whatever they need to make this uncomfortable time a bit more endurable. One of the sweet families purchased a pager so that anytime someone prays, they can page them and let them know prayers have been uttered. The first night the pager never stopped all night long and brought Brad to tears. Another sweet family purchased a camcorder so they can benefit from that memory-making technology.
Each day brings new challenges and prayer needs. When you read this post and think of Nathan, please lift him up in prayer. The pager number is 502-464-0039 and although you won't get a call back, calling it will encourage a family that needs it oh so much. Please feel free to visit the website for updates and specific ways you can pray: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nathanmclean
"Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me." - Psalm 86:6-7
Thanks for posting this, Rosie. I will be praying for little Nathan and his family. I know God will bless them and strengthen them for the struggle ahead. (Thanks for posting the pager number, too--I will try to remember to call it when I pray.)
ReplyDeletewow...
ReplyDeletei haven't been to your blog in a little while and i'm so glad i stumbled by today.
the family will be in my prayers for sure -- and with you, that God may take away some of the burden that you carry while you minister to them.
Katrina/Erin,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers! Nathan is struggling with eating right now, but his counts are getting better. He's had one round of chemo and has the next one tentatively on 5/11.