“For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.”
We’ve all heard those cliché vows a MILLION times. They might sound all syrupy sweet when you’re dressed in white, in perfect health and proclaiming your ‘forever’ love for your spouse at your fairy tale wedding.
But what about when life gets ugly?
When dementia sets in, when arthritis plagues your joints, when alopecia steals your beautiful curly locks…or when cancer strikes.
Those are the moments when marriage is truly put to the test. That’s when Paul’s command in Ephesians to “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church” becomes real and raw.
In a society with an ever-increasing divorce rate and ever-declining value on marriage, it’s a mantra we hear proclaimed by many, but lived out by few.
Jon Newman is one of those few.
Seventeen-year-old Mackenna Newman’s mom was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last October, and was forced to stay in isolation due to her radiation treatments. But that didn’t stop her faithful husband from staying right by her side.
The teen posted this picture of her dad to Twitter on Friday along with a message that read, “My mom has to stay in her room in isolation for her cancer radiation so my dad set up a desk at her door to keep her company and I’m crying.”
The captivating picture of her dad’s unwavering love and devotion for his sick wife has since stirred up a viral storm of emotion from readers everywhere.
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter users are sending their well wishes, prayers and love to the sweet hubby who has stayed outside his wife’s bedroom “the entire time,” Mackenna told BuzzFeed.
“The amount of love I’ve received is crazy and I didn’t expect any of it, but I’m so grateful,” she added.
Twitter
“Jon goes to every doctor’s appointment, every blood test, every surgery, every radiation,” said Mackenna’s mom. “And, as you can see, if he can’t be by my side he is as close as he can get!”
The Newman family has been overwhelmed by the support they’ve received from strangers who are truly inspired by Jon’s beautiful display of servanthood.
But as for Jon, he doesn’t get what all the hype is about.
To him, he’s simply doing his job: loving his wife well. ??
