For A Good Friend - Byron Kennedy

Byron is Bradey's lifelong best friend, accountability partner, and pretty much a brother.  Their life together started when they were born three months apart.   Their moms were good friends and still depend on each other today.  They grew up together doing all the things little boys do in a small town, plus some.  They went fishing at Mama's tank, played all kinds of ball together, attended Kid's College (I'm sure caused all kinds of trouble for Donna), and sometimes even peed on each other according to Bradey.  Don't ask, who knows?  As they got older, they attended youth group together, went camping occasionally, and played more sports.  Soon they graduated and went to Tech.  Bradey ended up transferring to Hardin-Simmons to play football but the friendship did not change even miles apart.    They made many memories at the lake, spent some nights in the lovely trailer that Bradey lived in, drank Big Swigs , and smoked Black-N-Milds.  Soon, I came along and Byron approved.  He was the best man at our wedding and holds a dear place in our hearts.  He is now a lawyer and currently works at Texas Tech University.  The boys are closer now than they have ever been.  

Throughout Byron's life he has had to face many obstacles in the area of health.  From the time he was a young boy to now, it seems like he has experienced everything that life can throw at you.  Recently he was diagnosed with cancer.  His case was accepted in Houston at M.D. Anderson. He was placed in the best hands possible.  He had to have surgery to remove numerous lymph nodes from his neck.  He is now going through a series of radiation treatments.  He has to have scans performed every three months to make sure the cancer has not come back, but to make matters worse he is allergic to the iodine used during the scans.  Honestly, the list of complications he has to deal with goes on and on.  

Through all of this, every obstacle he has overcome, he has an amazingly strong faith.  Byron has always been that guy who is everyone's best friend, someone that you can always count on to lead you in the right direction, and the guy who knows the Lord.  He is someone very dear to many people in his life.  

Sometimes we don't understand why God places us in the midst of obstacles, where we ask ourselves, "Why God? Why me?"  I'm sure Byron has asked that question more than once.  At least I would if I were in his shoes. 

I have no doubt that God knew this young man would continue to be obedient and faithful through his life no matter what and that in itself has been such a strong testimony to others who know him.  So, whether you know him or not, please pray that the Lord would heal him completely and that Byron will continue to rely on his strong faith and trust that everything is in God's hands.  I do believe that our God is a God of healing.  I believe that He can and He will heal Byron.  So I ask you to do the same.  Please believe this and speak in the name of Jesus that healing will take place.  This journey ahead of him will be a test of faith, no doubt, but also a journey of many blessings!