Mark Bascetta
Hi my name is Mark Bascetta. Growing up I was always told to be spiritual and believe in a higher power, but never encouraged to read the Bible. I grew up looking up to my father who was a firefighter and bigger than life in my eyes as a little boy. Naturally, I grew up and became a firefighter paramedic, got married to the love of my life and had 2 beautiful daughters. I didn’t notice the cost to helping everyone else and not realizing when I was the one in need of help. At work I came across a little boy that I could not save on an emergency scene.
I was angry that I couldn’t save that little boy. A few months later I lost my father also. Following that I almost lost my marriage and family and the enemy was attacking everything I loved.
When I almost lost my family despite numerous attempts to save them “my way” I surrendered to God and told him to take control and that I would be willing to say Yes to whatever sacrifice was needed on my own part whether that was my career or own life. I was used to risking my life for strangers, but this was much more intimate. I stopped begging Him to save my family instead of me and started saying “Thy will instead of my will.”
After surrendering control to Jesus I stopped believing in coincidences after witnessing numerous miracles I did not think were possible. This did not come with criticism from some once I started making Jesus the center of my life. Needless to say the sacrifices were very much worth it.
My marriage was reignited, my anger started to be smothered, I started to have more gratitude for my children, family and marriage. My retirement was finally approved from the Fire department. The girls I was entrusted to love and protect started to realize something changed in me.
My altar has completely changed in the process and I remember one day receiving the biggest compliment I never knew I needed. One day my wife and daughter on separate occasions said that I reminded them a lot of Jesus the way I was acting. All I could do in those moments was say thank you to God for giving me my family back. I grew up looking up to my Dad and found out I also had an amazing Father in my Lord Jesus Christ.
A big void in my heart has been filled and I now look to Jesus whenever I am questioning a life decision and no longer feel alone. I became all those people I was trying to save in my career, I was now the person calling for help, but instead of 911, I was calling on my Lord and Savior.
That call with that little boy I could not save. I realized I was not on that call to save that little boy who was already gone, rather I was sent to him so he could save me and lead me to this new found relationship with Jesus. My mindset has changed radically since and I’m not the same man I was prior to that call but a man of God who is so grateful for being given another chance that I did not deserve.
My love for my wife Kala, daughters Anna and Miabella has grown beyond what I thought was possible and that is only with the example of Jesus’ sacrificial love and what He did on the cross for me.
After reading the Bible and specifically the gospels, Jesus’ examples of sacrificial love changed my perception of what love really is. I now forgive much quicker and love more often. I now know I truly couldn’t have saved my family or myself without God at the center.
My favorite scripture is when Jesus was on the cross and asked:
“Father forgive them for they do what they don’t know.” Luke 23:34
God thank you for all the blessings in my life that I previously overlooked at times. Thank you for being a Good Good Father and leading me where I didn’t want but didn’t know I needed. I love you.
Thank you to my family, children and my best friend, my wife Kala for always being there for me especially in the bad times and encouraging me to seek a relationship with God by attending church. I never knew my favorite animal was a sheep, until I discovered a deep love with you. I love you with all my heart and this 3 corded strand is much stronger with Christ in my life. Thank you for never giving up on me. We did it together.