On April 26, in a text, my dear friend Delila suggested I read Philippians 4:4-8. She had no idea on that day, that three days earlier, on April 23, I had learned I had cancer. Look at what perfect words she sent me on that day.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

This is how God has been weaving people and words into my days. Every day since April 23. Today again, a handful of friends poured out their kind words and gifts. Unexpected but welcomed. Healing.

I look at the same flowers every day in my morning stroll. They are always pretty to me. Some are just starting to bloom and some are finishing up. This morning, I placed the macro lens on my camera and what a new view of the same old blossoms. My brother Llewellyn had planted these orange tigerlily around a windmill that dad welded together and stuck in the flowerbed back in the 1970s. When we started our farm and our garden we grabbed some shovels full and stuck them in some crappy clay soil. They have been moved around plenty of times. They are in a bit better soil now, we are a little smarter about all that. So, these flowers have been growing here for forty years through all the seasons and they are still alive. And this morning I looked at them through new eyes and appreciated them as if it were the first time I saw them bloom. That is how God is moving in my life. I see everything in a new way and a new light.