By Dawn Onley

A recurring thought keeps bumbling about my brain these past few weeks: “Dawn,” it reminds me in a familiar voice that sounds a lot like my own. “When you send up a prayer, make sure you’re ready when God answers.”

Don’t brood on it and don’t forget about it. Don’t leave it hanging out there in the great ether. Don’t just pray without ceasing. Open your eyes to follow where that prayer leads you. Prayer requires persistence, urgency and follow-through.

Make sure it’s resolved. Stay with it. Listen for the answer. Follow where it leads.

And then … take off.