Through The Eyes of Mark
Mark's Thoughts When I woke up this morning, I took a deep breath. Although it wasn’t as deep and full as it once was, I thanked God more sincerely and energetically than ever before. I thanked God for another day, another chance to create, give, laugh, love and spread God’s word. I also thanked God for all the adversity and very trying challenges laid at my feet for I know that all I am and all I have inside of me will always be adequate to answer the call. Thank you God for all the blessings, and for all the people of your Earth that are praying for me and helping me. Thank you for the strength and confidence to stand up and fight the good fight and thank you for peace, love, and guidance. You are the Alpha and Omega. God is great and God is love.
Mark's Testimony My name is Mark. I’m a 42 year old ex-stonemason. I did stonework for over twenty years and I truly loved what I did. I had a true connection to my trade as if this was not the only life I did stonework in. The reason I am an ex-stonemason is because I attained a lung disease, a direct result of cutting stone for many years. In October 2010 I was hospitalized for a week and then in November I had a surgical biopsy on my right lung and lymph node. The results came back negative for cancer and lymphoma but it was discovered that I have an incurable lung disease. My only option is a bi-lateral transplant. I didn’t think I could make it through this. I was sure my life was over. The doctors said that without a transplant I would not live more than 1 ½ years and I would never do stonework again. The depression that followed was horrible until one day, when I was thinking about what the doctors had told me, I realized God had a reason for not taking me – it wasn’t my time. The second time I was in the hospital the doctors told me with my oxygen level in the 60’s I should have gone into cardiac arrest. I was still doing stonework at the time. People die doing much less at those levels. Although I was extremely ill and down to 143 pounds, I realized that God had a plan for me and that was why I was still here. As I laid in my hospital bed, I had my talk with God and I promised I would faithfully follow His plan without doubt or questions. I prayed for our Lord to guide me as to what I was to do next and to use me however and whenever possible. At my prime I was 180 pounds and incredibly strong, now 40 pounds lighter, frail and needing help with everything, I realized that my mind and spirit were very weak. You see, God makes us up of three parts, body, mind and spirit - all three to be equally strong to make a stronger whole. Being strong in my body only, I took things for granted and have been paying the price for it. But I have a second chance because I’m still alive to do God’s work here on earth. Although I have lost so much because of this illness, I have gained so much more and I wouldn’t change any of it. I’m very thankful this happened to me because more good has taken place than bad. God is working miracles in my life every day and is using me to help people get through tough times that take place in their lives. Through my example, approach and words, I have been able to turn this negative into a positive, time and time again. I believe that this became a part of my life not just for me to become a better person, or to open my eyes and heart up to the things they were closed to, but this became a part of my life to help others to get better and open their eyes and hearts. I have truly received strength from knowing that God has the confidence in me to handle this situation and take these challenges and make a positive impact on the world. I don’t know if I will receive a lung transplant, but I do know I am finally living life the way God truly intended for us to live - experiencing life where love, happiness, peace and understanding can take on a new meaning. I don’t consider myself as being sick. I consider myself as being awakened because I’ve never felt more alive in my entire life than I do right now. My mind has never been this clear, my soul and faith in God has never been this strong and my body is getting stronger every day. Anything is possible with God, this much I know. We all need God in our lives and God speaks differently to all of us. The things I have been able to do the last 8 months is because I asked God to guide and use me as one of His tools here on earth. Ask, and you shall receive, knock and He will answer. God will provide comfort when you are sick and healing in so many ways and as you get stronger, you just might find yourself as a part of God’s toolbox to be called upon to do His work, to spread His love and knowledge and to help others as you have been helped. All glory goes to God for He is love in the purest form and from that miracles take place every day. Thank you God for all your blessings and this gift we call life.  Quitters Never Win and Winners Never Quit A wise man once told me, “quitters never win and winners never quit.” These words became a part of my thinking 25 years ago when I was a basketball player. Now more than a quarter of a century later, these words have become a part of my routine. I’m facing a bi-lateral lung transplant and a little over 8 months ago, I was knocking on death’s door or it was knocking on mine. However you want to look at it, I was in serious trouble. The first days that I became sick were the scariest of my life. I was released from the hospital and put on oxygen, 24-7. I truly didn’t know what was worse, being told I couldn’t continue doing stonework or the physical things I had to face. A month later I had a surgical biopsy and in recovery I was crying really hard as my Mom held me and told me it would be okay. I was so weak that I needed help with everything. I felt like a 143 pound ugly baby. The people who saw me were shocked and looked at me like they would never see me again. Days passed, nights passed, and with the help of God, my Mom and Dad, family and friends, I started doing better. Something happened the second time in the hospital that changed everything. One afternoon as I lay there in bed with Mom by my side, the doctor came in to speak with us. She told me although there was no cancer or lymphoma I had an incurable lung disease called Silicosis Fibrosis. She told me of the option of a lung transplant which scared me a great deal at first. But as she proceeded, she told me plainly and was straight forward that without a transplant, I wouldn’t make it very long. I was floored, scared silent, then the doctor asked if I was interested in the process to get listed. I looked at my Mom and asked, “What do you think?” She replied, “You have to do this. You can do this. We’ll do it together.” I turned to the doctor and told her, “Let’s do it.” Later I was alone and many things ran through my mind but a few things stuck - my Mom telling me I could do it and the words of my high school coach. You see my coach also happens to be my father and I never saw him quit anything except cigarettes, so I knew those words came from his heart and they held great meaning. Quitters never win and winners never quit. It was a great thing that I never learned how to quit because now I am in the fight for my life. I said to myself that day in the hospital, “I’ve never been a quitter so why start now.” I also decided I wasn’t going to wait for new lungs for my second chance; it had already started because I was still alive. I left the hospital on December 1st; it’s now March 8th and I’m in a Cardio Pulmonary Rehab program where I work out three times a week. I now weigh 170 pounds and I can actually see muscles again. I no longer look like a walking skeleton, my skin isn’t gray anymore, and I feel great. For the exception of the breathing thing, I feel like a normal person. My breathing won’t change until I get a lung transplant – that is just the reality of it. My mind is clear, my faith in God is strong and my body is getting stronger every day. Everything I can’t control, like finances or when the transplant team will call me, I have given over to God and I realize that whatever plan He has for me, that is what will be. Everything happens for a reason and even though this bad thing has happened, many good things have come about and I truly would not change a thing. What I have learned in this short amount of time on this journey has all been worth it. I know I have barely started on this road and the majority of the hard stuff lies ahead. I also realize that I can do this and winners never quit. I’m a very lucky person because the only two people I have ever considered heroes in this world are my Mom and Dad, and without seeing them go through life as they have, without their support and love, I could very easily be telling myself, "I can’t do this and I’m just going to quit." Thank you Mom and Dad. I love you with all my heart.  Mark's Poetry By Mark Rodriguez All God wants is for us to believe We all need God for everything we do God needs us to spread love and kindness If you want love then you want God With God all your wants and needs are possible and attainable (© 2011 Mark Rodgriguez – All rights reserved. Written material may not be duplicated without permission.) Mark's Miracle Mark has had his lung transplant and is doing remarkably well. He walked out of the hospital two weeks after surgery without an oxygen tank. The doctors were amazed at how quickly he has recovered. God is a God of miracles, and Mark is literally a living embodiment of God's power at work.  You'll be hearing from Mark soon. Mark would love to hear from you. If you would like to write to Mark, email him at: markrodriguez777@hotmail.com. Return to Praise and Worship Home Page |
