I saw Tony Snow the first time on television when he was announcing that he was leaving his job as press secretary for President Bush. In what has become my marathon and insanely obsessive habit to watch every news program daily, I happened to hear Tony that day. Didn’t know a thing about him but he caught my attention as I heard him speaking about his battle with cancer. Usually I flip to the next news channel, because I don’t want to watch those kinds of stories because they are so depressing, but I couldn’t help myself with Tony (besides it was the only thing on all of them). He was a big man, tall and lanky, and good looking and he smiled a lot, even when he was talking about his cancer. I never really saw him in action as a presidential press secretary; all I did was watch and hear of his graceful, faithful battle to live the life he was given until he went to heaven this past Saturday morning. I know he is in Heaven, because he talked openly and managed in the same way Jake did, to talk about his faith and what it meant to him to all those around him. For Tony, like those who truly love Christ with all their heart, he didn’t have a choice. You have to talk about your faith because you are what you are because of it.
I never met Tony Snow, but I reckon there couldn’t be a finer man to consider a hero or a role model, if you were needing one. Not because of how much money he made, I have no idea how rich he was. Not because he was in the news a lot because he was a movie star or a tremendous athlete or he took steroids or adopted children from other countries. The only claim to being sensational that he had was that he actually did practice the love of Christ to all those around him, to the end. He stood up for himself mind you and was loyal to God, he wasn’t perfect by any means afteall he was human, but he was kind and loving and caring. He didn’t complain about the sad and hard ending of his life, remarkably he saw it as a blessing.
There are people all around us who do remarkable things because of what can only be called a supernatural love from God. They show remarkable aptitude for growth and grace in the face of danger or loneliness or illness or hardship. They show us how to find joy because of what is in us, not what is around us. Look around today and find you a hero, a really good one… and then be one for someone else. I may never have met Tony Snow in this life, but I will one day, up there in Heaven. In the meantime, my Jake, say hello to Tony for me.
Quote for the day: To have faith is to believe in truth, believe that truth confers special power on those lucky enough to get a little insight, and to know in our hearts that all these things come from God, which is why we should never get too cocky about our successes.
Bible verse for the day: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23
