So many of my memories of Daniel from our freshman and sophomore years involve him playing his guitar, goofing around, and making everyone laugh. But even more than that, it is his incredible joy and outlook on life that was utterly contagious that comes to mind. As many friendships do, ours paths went different directions and communication faded, leaving but a fond memory behind and exciting random encounters on campus were what remained. Though two years is such a glimpse of time in reality, Daniel touched my life in more ways than he will ever know.
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| fall of our sophomore year. |
This past Saturday Daniel passed away after his long battle against brain cancer. He is now worshiping with the King he so fervently devoted his life to. After being told that he had a tumor on the right temporal lobe of his brain his response amid the confusion, distress and turmoil, was to pray. He kept a blog from which is words continue to encourage. This was his prayer:
“So I prayed for comfort, I prayed for my anxiety to be taken away. I thought the comfort would come directly from the Holy Spirit inside me, and of course it does many times. But this time the comfort was sent another way: through my family. When I say family, I don’t only include blood relatives, I’m talking about my friends.”
“It felt like a party, and I’ve never felt so much love before. These friends had God working through them, whether they knew it or not. They were my comfort that I had prayed for. So the conclusion we can take from this is that God is using each and every one of us, even if we don’t sometimes realize it. God is that powerful, He is in EVERYTHING. The more I realize this, the more joy I have in my life. There is freedom in Jesus. There is comfort if we obey His teachings and callings. No, I do not believe that I will ever be perfect in regards to my obedience, but we can be polished every day if we are open to it. God is limitless and all powerful, and we are invited to be used by Him whenever we ask.”
What an incredible view of faith. What an incredible man. How things are placed into perspective by those who exemplified what it meant to to radiate joy through turmoil. How meaningless my troubles when in view of the pain and struggle Daniel endured? Such an amazing example of our response in this life should be. Praying for your family knowing you are watching over us all. Rest in peace sweet friend. Thankful for you forever.
Thank you for sharing this i am Daniels cousin Jenny and he was so very precious to me ….i am really going to miss him and that big bright smile he always had !!!!! R.I.P. Sweet Daniel Helton !!!
Wow – sounds like his faith journey touched many others!!