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Previous Challenge Entry (EDITOR'S CHOICE)
Topic: DEVOTED( 02/04/21)
TITLE: Devotion Tested | Writing Challenge
By Joanney Uthe
02/11/21 		~ 1st Place


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When my son was in high school, he had to read a book in which the characters were teenage members of a support group for cancer patients. The girlfriend of one member broke up with him because of his cancer. On the surface, it may seem like a shallow reason to break up, but as another character stated, “You cannot blame her. It isn’t her fault you got cancer, and it is a lot to ask.”

As I reflect on this memory of my son’s description of the book, it makes me very thankful for the girlfriend who stood by him during his cancer journey. I walked by his bedroom door while they were having a conversation that no 17-year-old couple should ever have to have: whether or not he should donate to a sperm bank before starting treatment. What I heard her say both warmed and broke my heart. “I thought you were going to say you couldn’t love me anymore. As long as the cancer doesn’t change that, I can handle anything.”

She proved these words to be true as the treatment drug out for 8 months, concluding with an 18-hour surgery that left him with permanent nerve damage to his right leg and foot. It took him a year to learn to walk again, and that is with a leg brace and a cane. But the sweet gal who said she could handle anything except losing his love, has walked beside him every step of the way.

While their story is an exceptional example of what devoted love looks like, it pales in comparison to the love and devotion of the Cross. I am just as sick with sin as my son was with cancer, and yet God’s love reached out with a cure. Cancer treatment can be very brutal on the body, but the Cross was even more brutal. God sent His Son to die for my sins knowing that the Roman Cross would be determined to be the worst form of torturous punishment devised in history. Yet, His devotion to me, to you, to the world He created, is such that He chose to endure that brutal death in order to cure us from our sin sickness.

John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” I don’t know that there is anyone else that would die to save my life. To be honest, I cannot say for sure that I would make that sacrifice even for my own children. But, as Romans 5:8 says, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That is love. That is devotion.

It has been 5 years since my son was first diagnosed. His is a type of cancer for which science does not yet have a cure, so he still takes oral chemo. His special lady friend still walks this journey with him. Traditional wedding vows state, “in sickness or in health.” Most couples do not get a true test of this before the wedding. My son and his girlfriend have passed this test.
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Member Comments
Member Date Action
HollyWestefeld02/11/21
A heart-warming vignette, and great spiritual application. I pray that your son experiences healing, either divine or divinely inspired cure.
BarbaraCuller 02/12/21
This young woman sounds amazing.
CorinneSmelker 02/12/21
She is definitely a keeper!
FrancieSnell 02/13/21
This story brought tears to my eyes. I like how you tied it together in the end.
Verna ColeMitchell 02/19/21
Excellent devotion! Congratulations on being first in EC!
DoloresStohler 02/19/21
Your story is inspiring. I think your son is a true hero and the loyalty of the girl is exceptional. Too bad there aren't more of us with these Christlike qualities.
ShannHall-LochmannVanBennekom 02/20/21
This is so powerful. I love how you started out with a real story, an emotional beautiful real story and then related to the Bible. Positively brilliant. Congratulations! Happiest of Happy Dances!!!
PatriciaTurner 02/23/21
Thank you for such a beautiful story of real life true love; the Shulamite maiden, Ruth, and the Proverbs 31 wife and mother all embodied in your son's girlfriend, who I hope is or will become his wife, as she's definitely a keeper! A wonderfully crafted story from beginning to end.
PatriciaTurner 02/23/21
And a huge CONGRATULATIONS on your well earned first place EC!
BonnieBowden 02/26/21
Your son and this young woman have an amazing love story. Congratulations on your EC win!

I read that book you talked about, but I can't remember the name of it.
LaurieGlass 04/28/21
This made me teary-eyed. Your son and his girlfriend both sound amazing. This is well written and touches the heart. No wonder it placed first. Well done.