So many of you have been so gracious in your prayers and concerns for Dan. I want to join him in expressing heartfelt thanks for the inquiries, the messages, the prayers and the faithfulness that you have shown. Its time for us all to redirect our focus from concerns for his treatment to celebration of the impactful person that Dan is.
Rather than focusing on the storm that cancer has presented for this stage of his life, it is his desire that we focus on the Master of calming storms. I do not know what Dan’s next steps are physically in his approach to treatment and it is completely appropriate for us all to simply relate to Dan as Dan - friend, father, partner, leader, adviser, mentor, etc. Do not take this as a negative or a capitulation - he is stronger each time I see him - but it is a total desire to put his faith in the Lord in total control of his circumstances,
My personal tendencies are to be a “fixer” - to strive unceasingly to locate that piece of information that holds the key to unlocking the answers to any question. This is one of those admissions of personal limitation that we all have to face some or many times in life when we confront challenges that are so far beyond our reach that we can only rely on God for answers. My focus has been so much on the cancer, that I have fogotten about celebrating the relationship.
Whether Dan has 1 day or 10000 days ahead on this earth, each one of those days is an opportunity to enjoy relationship with Dan. I would encourage you also to shift your focus from Dan’s cancer to Dan’s life - celebrating what he means to you rather than the concern for his physical struggle. He is fully in the hands of the Lord and that’s exactly where he wants to be, and he will be there from now until eternity whether his earthly days are many or few. Continue your kind prayers for his health, but next time you see him, ask how his grandchildren are doing or whether the Vols will make it to the NCAA and enjoy a smile with the man that we all care deeply about. Your smile will say it all and be the best earthly medicine that he could receive.
I will be slowing down on my updates during this season for Dan. First, he is in a time of recovery from the operation and all appears well with that, but more importantly, he really seeks a time of “treatment” privacy desiring to refocus on the Lord for his life, blessings and health. It is my hope to honor his wishes. If there is a major change in his situation that he desires your specific prayers or praises for, I will post that information - until then, I thank you for your faithfulness in walking this journey with Dan.