Theirs to Love

Authors Note: written by then 13 year old Robin Honcoop (me) for Young Ambassador Young Writers Contest in 1973, this is copied, word for word, without any corrections. 

Theirs to Love

Martin paced the floor again and again. "Please Lord. " he prayed "Let her come through safely."

Dr. Brown came out. He had been the family doctor ever since both Martin and Gwen had been small. Doc was getting old and would be retiring soon, but he was still a good doctor. 

"You have a son." he said. With great difficulty he went on. "I may as well tell you now that he is only a four pound baby. His heart is too large. I can't say how long he will live. He is in an incubator right now. He has trouble breathing too--" His voice trailed off suddenly.

Martin stood stricken by the news. "How is Gwen?" he asked. "Does she know about our son's trouble?"

"Gwen is fine, weak, but fine. No, she doesn't know yet. I think you should tell her. I believe she'll take it better from you."

Martin nodded his thanks and walked away wondering how he could ever tell his wide that their second child had an enlarged heart and weighed only four pounds. Martin stopped at the large window and looked at his son, an incubator enclosed around him. 

He was a very tiny baby indeed. How could God do this to them? He bit his lower lip. Because it was God's will. He knew that-- but how would Gwen take it. Gwen was only a new Christian. She might think God was unkind. 

Reaching her room, he hesitated before entering. Finally he opened the door and went to Gwen.
She lay pale, her eyes closed. "Honey," he said softly. "How are you?"

Gwen opened her eyes. "I'm fine" she whispered. "How's our boy? And did you call Mom yet?" 

"I haven't had time, Dear. Honey-- the baby--" he faltered. Sitting on the bed, he took Gwen's hand, squeezed it and then continued. "Gwen, he only weighs four pounds, and he has a large heart. He is in an incubator right now." He waited, wondering what her reaction would be.

Gwen bit her lip and closed her eyes. then in a whisper she spoke. "God's will, Dear."
Joyfully Martin whispered back. "God's will."

Gwen looked a him again. "What do you think Tammy will say? She-- she might be bewildered. Will you explain it to her?" 

"Of course, Darling. Now you just rest. I'll go call Mom and than I'll talk to Dr. Brown about the baby."

"We'll call him Shon Martin Bradley." Gwen said and Martin nodded.
"Shon Martin Bradley it is Dear." Then, blowing a kiss, he hurried out.

After calling his mother and explaining the baby's trouble, he looked up Dr. Brown. "How long do you think he can hold out?"

The doctor shrugged. "We'll take some tests. Right now he's doing O.K. But you never can tell. A few years, maybe. Who knows?"

"I'll go and say good-bye to Gwen and then go home. I'll be back tomorrow."

"You can take Gwen home day after tomorrow, maybe." replied the doctor. Then, turning he said, "I sure am glad God gave you the baby. Someone else might try something crazy. But not you. You'll love that child as if it were as normal as Tammy or any other child."

At home, Tammy, Martin's 7-year-old, bright-eyed daughter, pounced on him with questions. "What did the baby look like? When was he coming home? How was Mommy? Then came the question Martin hated to answer. 

"Daddy, why is Shon different? Grandma says he's sick and gots a big heart. Why is he sick?"

"Well, honey, I guess God knew we'd love and care for him no matter what, so He gave him to us that way. Do you understand?"

"Yes Daddy." Tammy said happily. "God sure was right, wasn't He?" she said beaming. 

Martin's questions were answered. A new a Christian as she was, Gwen had readily trusted Christ no matter what and as small as Tammy was, her heart was big enough to believe.

Later in his room, Martin dropped to his knees in thanks and praise to the Heavenly Father for the child they has just received. 



Robin Honcoop (13)
Everson, Washington

Young Writers Contest
Young Ambassador
January 1973



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