Posted by
Tony Snow for President on Saturday, March 31, 2007 12:34:06 PM
I love what others have already said about Tony Snow - his courage and faith as he battles cancer once again. I've enjoyed reading and hearing comments made by people from all walks of life - Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives, Liberals, Christians, and those of other belief systems. It's a tribute to Tony just to see how he's gained respect from so many, even from politicians and members of the media who don't share the same respect for Tony's boss. Cal Thomas wrote an excellent piece, "The Tony Snow I Know" - giving us a good glimpse of Tony's heart and soul. This is a must-read for those who want to see how Tony might be dealing with his illness.Charlie Lehardy (of AnotherThink) wrote recently of "Hope and Optimism" In this poignant analysis of Elizabeth Edwards' own battle with cancer, he mentions Tony's classy tribute to the Edwards' hopeful, optimistic faith - right at a time when some pundits were assuming political motivations. This is what Tony had to say:
The biggest problem you have a lot of times with cancer is just flat-out fear. And when you're seeing Elizabeth Edwards saying, I'm going to embrace life and I'm going to move forward, that is a wonderful thing, because once you decide that you're going to embrace life, you become a much better patient. And once you decide that you proceed with a sense of hope and optimism, people are going to rally to your side, and they do. And it's a truly wonderful thing.
And so I certainly encourage everybody to send their thoughts and prayers to Senator Edwards and to Mrs. Edwards. And what she is going to do is going to provide a lot of encouragement and example that I think is going to help a lot of people, and that is a truly wonderful thing, and I congratulate her for it. (from White House press briefing, 3/23/07)
Lehardy says it well:
Embrace life and move forward. Proceed with a sense of hope and optimism.
Those are both solidly Christian perspectives about dealing with real life and all of its unexpected hardships and tragedies.
Faith is not a bullet-proof vest.
Within days of his crucifixion, Jesus told his disciples "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
To proceed with a sense of hope and optimism in the midst of a fatal cancer diagnosis makes no sense. Unless you are in denial. Or heavily medicated. Or, your hope and optimism has been anchored all along in something so solid that the storms cannot shift it.
Embracing life and moving forward towards surgery and radiation therapy, pain and suffering and the possibility of death before you are ready are truly frightening things. But there is that strange assurance of Christ as he looked ahead to the cross: "You will have peace in Me."
Peace in the face of fear, faith that leans completely on the One who can heal (but doesn't always choose to), and the attitude of optimism that God knows what He's doing (even when we don't) - those are all integral to who Tony is, what keeps him going at a time like this.
Please join us in praying for Tony and his family.
Here's the official link for sending him "Get Well" email messages. If you haven't done so already, please write to him soon.