I don’t understand why people tell me I am so noble for staying with my wife despite all her health issues. What is so noble about it? When I married her, I made a vow to her and to God to be with her “for better and worse, for good times and bad, in sickness and in health, until death do us part,” and I don’t plan to leave her just because she has the misfortune of being sick with an incurable, debilitating disease. Apparently, this must be uncommon in today’s world.

I remember my wife and I watching a movie (I don’t recall the name) in which the female character learns she has cancer. When she tells her boyfriend, played by Dean Cain, he says, “Sorry, I did not sign up for this,” and leaves her at her time of greatest need. I know it’s just a movie, but “What a superjerk!” The unfortunate reality is that this happens to people in real life, and I could share many more stories like this, but I would rather not.

I would rather talk about a couple from our adoption support group who shared their story. Dani was dating Scott when she learned she had a severe case of Hodgkin’s disease. Did her boyfriend leave her? No! He stayed with her through all the medical treatments, including chemo and the loss of her hair, until she beat her cancer. They have now been happily married for over twenty years and have a son. Dani felt reassured knowing that Scott’s support during her illness while they were dating meant he would continue to stand by her side long after they got married.

Our relationship with Jesus is like a marriage. When we give our lives to Him, He will stick with us. I remember a pastor from college saying, “When you ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, He uses Krazy Glue, and you are stuck with Him for good!” Perhaps the idea of being stuck with someone forever may not sound appealing to some, but I find great comfort in it. When we become Christians, God assures us that He is with us through good and bad times, in sickness or in health, no matter what happens. Matthew 28:20 promises, “Lo, I with you always, even to the end of the age.” Once we belong to Him, He will never let us go. Whether we climb the highest mountains, descend into the deepest valleys, or walk through the shadow of death, God is with us. Even if we stray, God will not give up on us. Remember what it says in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rest assured that we are stuck with Him, and He will never abandon us. Thank you, God, for your stubborn love for us!

Take care,

Bill R.