These maple tree seeds, "whirlygigs", have me thinking about prayer. It's no surprise how they caught my eye in my backyard! And I am so appreciative of those who are praying for my healing and for their support and encouragement. How much those prayers are clustered like these red wings!

These seeds have a long lineage. The tree that bears these seeds were planted by the original home owner more than 20 years ago. This maturing tree produces countless seeds so the cycle can continue into abundant life, even far from this spot, with the possibility to multiply many times over.

Some prayers are immediate petitions that spring from this moment or this specific need, waiting for answers or resolution. How quickly they spring from our lips or those of friends and family.

But I realized that many, maybe even most, of my prayers were answered long ago when Dana Thompson entered medical school and decided to specialize in cancer treatment, even before the creation of the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center. He knows how to cure my lymphoma. He has done it before. Many of my prayers were answered by the training, compassion and experience of Dr. Thomas Lewis who first said "lymphoma" to my stunned ears. Many prayers were answered when a countless multitude of researchers and scientists began to develop treatments to cure cancer. Prayers were answered 20 years ago with the approval of a medication I will receive after each chemotherapy treatment to help my body make more white blood cells. Many of my prayers were answered when men and women decided they wanted to help care for cancer patients, and now carefully monitor my treatments and those of many more. They know how to do this. They want to help heal me and countless others. I am filled with gratitude for their skill and compassion.

As I contemplated all of this yesterday, I realized God had a head start. This all didn't spring into motion at the beginning of March, 2021. I'm just in a moment that has been prepared for healing. Some prayers are already answered.