A little over a year ago when our Couples for Christ (CFC) Southeast Prolife Coordinator, Tita Beth (yes, Elizabeth :p), asked us to become the Prolife Coordinator of Florida, Jon and I requested time for discernment and prayers before we gave our yes. We wanted to make sure that this is what God was calling us to do after all we were only married for a year and we felt like we were just rookies compared to other couples who have children and the years of experience under their belt.
During our discernment process, one of the messages I received from God was that He wanted me to name our child Nathanael. At the time I wasn’t sure if this was just a figment of my imagination since I was contemplating too much about wanting to have a baby. Because I second-guessed myself, I shrugged this off and didn’t tell Jon of this encounter. Nathanael literally means gift from God. I thought maybe God is giving us the Prolife Ministry and the babies that will be saved through our service as a gift.
Fast forward to August 24 of this year when I found out that I have mild endometriosis, this is when the doctor told me that it will be hard to conceive at this stage. That day Jon and I went to mass with a heavy heart. I needed to hear some encouragement. It was the Feast of St. Bartholomew. Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and was also identified as Nathanael. Because of his feast, the gospel that was read on that day was from John 1:45-51. God reminded me yet again about His same message last year that we will have a son and that He wanted us to name him Nathanael. Dumbfounded, I wept for joy. Not minding the doctor’s findings anymore, this time I’m firmly convinced that God was talking to me. After mass I told Jon about this and last year’s message.
On September 29, the day the doctor confirmed that we are indeed pregnant, it was the Feast of the Archangels, and the gospel was once again about Nathanael (John 1:47-51). If this is not Divine Providence, I don’t know what is. Needless to say, Jon was also astounded.
Today’s genetic ultrasound confirms this prophecy. Nathanael is truly a gift from God. Our son is a healthy baby with a mom whose age risk factor is that of a 20-year old… Praise God!
Joyce Dz
December 28, 2011 at 1:02 pm
I was weeping the entire time I was watching the video (tears of joy, of course). I am so joyful for you and Jon as little Nathanael is beautiful and truly a miracle. Praise God. Thank you so much for sharing as it continues to inspire and give me hope, faith and trust with ours as well. I love you and talk later.