July 22, 2008 ~ The Wisdom of Tony
I didn’t know Tony Snow personally. Never had the privilege of meeting him – and it would have been a distinct privilege, to be sure. I came to admire his work through the years whether listening to him on the
radio, watching him on Fox News Sunday, or reading about his press briefings during his assignment as President Bush’s Press Secretary. More importantly, though, I admired him as a man – as a person. When he was diagnosed with cancer, I watched to see how this person I had admired would handle such a challenge. And I was not disappointed. He was an inspiration. A man of faith who loved God and his family unashamedly, he seemed not to miss a step in his enthusiasm for life and in his devotion to living for Christ. When he died earlier this month, I mourned his loss as if I’d known him. He was a good man.
Shortly after his passing, my sister sent me a portion of an article he’d written back in May of 2005. It was so eloquent, so wise, and so true that it sent me searching for the entire article so that I could read all that he had to say on the subject of being ill. It was a subject that he knew something about, and I’ve learned long ago to open my heart to learn from those who have wisdom to impart.
Here is just one of Tony’s points of wisdom on the subject:
“The secret of learning to be sick is this: Illness doesn’t make you less of what you were. You are still you. In many cases, a bout with sickness stretches your soul, opens your eyes, and introduces you to a world of unimagined grandeur, possibility and joy.”
Sounds strange, perhaps, but how true it is! Since my diagnosis on the last day of April, I have been surprised and amazed – and awed! – by the love of Christ and by the peace and joy He awakened within my spirit. It’s not that He’s changed, but that I’ve been made more sensitive to Him because I moved in closer to Him and asked Him to stay close to me throughout this journey. And I know this – it is His great pleasure to do just that!
Considering the gravity of Tony’s diagnosis, he could’ve focused his attention on what he might lose, but instead he focused on what he had gained: a new respect and zest for life – and the desire to really live it!
You don’t have to receive a grave diagnosis to have your heart opened to the possibilities and joys of life. And I pray that you never have to know that moment of hearing such dreaded words. Instead, you can whisper your prayer to Jesus – tell Him about your desire to depend upon Him and to recognize the blessings that He’s placed in your life. He is faithful. He’ll be there for you like He was there for Tony; like He is there for me.
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