Tiny heart touches the hearts of thousands

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—While getting ready for release of their fifth album, the Christian rock band Sanctus Real narrowed down possible selections for album titles and asked fans to vote for their favorite title. They overwhelmingly selected Pieces of a Real Heart to reflect songs written about forgiveness, hope and redemption.

After 10 weeks in the hospital, it was a joyous homecoming as Matt and Sarah Hammitt finally were able to bring Bowen home.

Little did the band realize the deeper meaning that title would assume in the coming months, as the small heart of Bowen Hammitt, son of lead singer Matt Hammitt and his wife, Sarah, captured national attention and opened doors to share Christ’s love.

Bowen was born Sept. 9 with a serious and rare heart defect, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. In babies with HLHS, the left side of the heart cannot pump blood, so the right side must supply both the lungs and the body. Without surgical intervention, the condition is fatal.

“Any parent would say that watching your child go through something like this is much worse than going through it yourself,” Matt Hammitt said. “You want to take their place, but you can’t. That’s been the most difficult part for me.”

Just four days after his birth, Bowen underwent his first operation, as a shunt was inserted into his heart. 

Bowen Hammitt, whose name means “small, victorious one,” is battling a life-threatening heart defect and will undergo another surgery in February.  In a season filled with heartache and hope, his parents remained committed to leading others to Christ while sharing a powerful message about Christ’s unfailing love.

After several hours waiting beside Bowen’s bedside in intensive care, his parents went to their nearby hotel room for some rest. A few hours later, the phone rang at 2:13 a.m., alerting the Hammitts to return immediately to the hospital. By the time they arrived, doctors and nurses frantically were trying to save Bowen’s life. The medical staff finally resuscitated him after several attempts.

In the weeks that followed, Bowen—whose name means “small, victorious one”—also battled an infection and other complications. To keep their family and friends updated, the Hammitts set up a website called “Bowen’s Heart.” Thousands of people around the world began sending messages of encouragement while committing to pray for Bowen. 

Thanksgiving week marked a joyous and tear-filled homecoming, as the Hammitts finally brought their 10-week-old son home to meet his two sisters. In February, Bowen is scheduled to undergo another surgery. 

The Hammits’ unwavering faith throughout this trial has provided countless opportunities to share the gospel, including during a segment on ABC World News.

“We thank God for the gift of waking up at home this morning with baby Bo-wen at our bedside,” Matt Hammitt said. “We’ve been praying so long for these moments. Taking care of Bowen at home will in-clude a lot of work and lack of sleep, but having our family together is worth it.

“When bad things come your way, you can either be angry or bitter—or you can let them shape, mold and teach you lessons about life. It’s our desire that people will be encouraged as they see that we have been brought closer to Christ through this trial, and he is the ultimate source of comfort and strength. By bringing others to Christ during a time of struggle, we want to lift up the body of Christ and further the work of the kingdom, in all things giving glory to God along with praise and thanksgiving.”