My Friend Brandon

I have been fortunate in my life to be blessed with good friends. Not "acquaintances" but true, dependable, loving friends who care about me and my family. I have also worked very hard to be a loving, dependable friend to the people that God has placed in my life. I do not believe that anything happens by accident. I believe that there are no coincidences. Therefore, I believe that God placed Brandon in my life for a reason. To inspire me in my faith, to give me hope, and to make me grateful for the blessings I have that most people consider "everyday" parts of life. I thank God daily for my family, but also for my health and that of my loved ones, my house, my job, clothes on my back, food on my table, bills paid, and my friends. I use to never think about my health unless I was sick. But now I know that it is a gift and one for which I should be grateful. I thank God for it everyday. Which leads me to my friend, Brandon Clark. He has been battling (and it has indeed been a valiant fight) against two primary cancers since February of 2006. He has used his illness and the treatment as a ministry tool to try and reach people for Christ. To point them to God. And in huge ways, he has succeeded. He has changed and touched so many lives. Not just those of the people he knows but countless that he has never met. He has demonstrated such grace and courage in the face of this horrific disease that has ravaged his body but has not and could not rob him of his hope and faith. In fact, he embodies what I want for my life. To live for faith, family and friends........in that order. We all knew, including Brandon, that when God was through with him, He would call him home. That day is approaching and I am sad. But not for reasons one might think. I am sad for his family who will no longer have this amazing man in their midst. His legacy of love and laughter will live on in the hearts and minds of those who love him, but his physical presence will be sorely missed. I am sad for Brandon because I know to leave his family behind is something that breaks his heart. He has NO doubt about his eternal security but we all want to see our children grow up and be there to mark the milestones in their lives. I feel sad for his friends who will no longer get to spend time with this funny man whose main goal is to illicit laughter from those he is around. And I feel sorry for myself. I love him and I will miss him. I don't know how much "time" he has but I know that instead of dying from cancer, he will live with it until God calls him home. I am honored to be his friend. I pray for strength and God's grace and mercy for Brandon and those of us who love him in the difficult days ahead.