This is a message to Andrea from Mark Keough, who works with Steve at Northside Lexus. Mark spoke at the benefit for Andrea in April and for those of you were not there, his words could not have been said any better. I asked Mark to write something for the site to share with all of you...

Andreas life, A life of purpose!

I do not understand why God chooses to use people for different purposes. For some it seems that they were created by God to champion great causes.

For others it might be that they were created by God to serve others through behind the scenes acts of kindness and goodness. For others it might be to give vast quantities of financial resources to others in need to both individuals and organizations. We do not know how or why God does this but He just does.

There are people however that are used by God in a different way and that is by allowing them to go through great pain and suffering in order to bring out the best in those who are watching.

As I have watched your story unfold, I have heard, seen and experienced things that I have never been exposed to since I have been in the business world.

Andrea, your dad and I are managers in an automobile store. We work side by side day after day and probably see more of each other than we do our own families. As word was told about your condition, I heard people begin to use words like “prayer” like “God is in control”, like “we are remembering your family”, like “God is a God of miracles”. Words that are  totally foreign to our business.

I have seen people cry together, I have seen people hug each other with genuine love and care as they heard the news of your condition.

I watched as sales people put together the greatest display of support and love that I have ever seen in this kind of situation. They did this through the benefit for you and your family.

I have personally experienced deep heart felt discussions about important things having to do with life, death, purpose and meaning  with your dad and many others. We have cried together and grieved for you and your family.

Andrea, these expressions of love and care would have never happened unless God would have called you to draw us to Him through your time of trouble. 

As hard as it might be for all of us to understand, your life is serving the purpose of making us kinder, gentler, and more honest with ourselves and others. Your life is causing all of us to examine our character and to look to God for our daily existence.

We all watch in awe at your strength and endurance only to see that we are people who need to look inward and face our selves as to who we really are and learn by your example that we are all called by God to a purpose that we must fulfill .

Your life has caused me personally to try being a better dad, a better husband and a better son to my parents! I now call my kids and parents daily and never miss an opportunity to enjoy daily conversation with my bride. This all started when your dad told me about your situation. In short your life has given me a deep desire to be a better, wiser and more thoughtful person. Your life has taught me to understand the fragile nature of the relationships with which God has entrusted us. We are being taught through your life that God has called all of us to enhance each others lives by giving, loving and nurturing those around us.  

Andrea , we do not know what the future holds for you but we know who holds your future and you need to know that your life , just as it is right now is being used to change hundreds even thousands of lives for God’s purposes. Without you this would not be taking place.

Concerning your healing, God heals in a variety of ways.

He heals through the natural ability of our body to heal itself. He sometimes chooses to heal through Doctor’s and medicine. Sometimes He heals through ultimate healing when He calls us, His children, home to be with Him.

However He also heals miraculously and if he chooses to do so He can heal you Andrea. He created the world and everything and everyone in it and sustains it’s existence.  The bible teaches that

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth. He does not live in temples made by hands nor is he served by human beings as if he needed anything, for He Himself gives life and breath and everything else to all men…..He has determined the times set for men and the exact places where they should live …He did this so that perhaps people would reach out for Him and find Him though He is not far from each of us.” Acts 17

You see, Andrea, God has made and sustains everything and has placed people in differing situations so that the end result is that people would see their need for God and reach out for Him. If he chooses to do a miraculous healing or if he chooses not to, it is because what ever the end result might be, that result  will make your life accomplish its greatest purpose and that is to draw us to God our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ His son.

My most favorite verse in the bible and the one that has now become more meaningful to me than ever is this…  

“Trust in the Lord Jesus with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will makes your paths straight”….Proverbs 3:5-6

Bless you Andrea. We love you and pray for God to heal you knowing that we do not know what your future holds but we know who holds your future, God through His son Jesus Christ.

Your life counts and we all love you for it.