Listening to Lysa...

^{On Saturday, I traveled with Gloria and her neighbor (Laura) to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois to hear Lysa TerKeurst speak.}  

^{In the first session, Lysa encouraged us to not view disruption on our organized, well-thought out, planned every minute days as...well, as disruptions and aggravations.  She said that those moments when something goes amok...those are the moments that God Himself has allowed.  He has allowed these "detours" for our benefit...and oftentimes, if we would view them as such and look for a way to bless others that we will infact be blessed ourselves.}  

^{I'm always amazed when I sit down to write a note or make a phone call or send a text that the reply back is always such a blessing and encouragement to me.  Here, I was trying to be a blessing to someone else and they in turn were a blessing to me.}  

^{In the afternoon session, Lysa used I Thessalonians 5:16-18 for her text.  She challenged us to not live life in a "I have to _______________________ (fill in some responsibility that is drudgery)."  Instead we are to rejoice that we GET to do that drudgery-ish task.  We are to pray without ceasing.  Without ceasing means "never stopping, continually."  And lastly, she said that nothing that happens to me takes God by surprise.  He loves me.  He cares about me. He allows trials in my life for the purpose of me knowing Him better.}  

^{I was thinking about this last thing on the drive home.  We were talking about our relationships with the Lord.  I don't think that I trusted God as much back when I was 20 years old like I trust Him now.  We have a deeper relationship because He's been faithful.  He's always faithful.  I know that He has my best interest at heart and He is never ever, ever, ever, ever going to leave me.  There will not be a day when I wake-up and will find a note on my chalkboard, "Taking today off.  See you tomorrow.  Love, God."  NO!  He will always be here and He is always cheering me on.}  

^{I leave you with the verses that spoke to my heart...I pray that they will change you too.}

 ¹⁶  Rejoice evermore.

 ¹⁷  Pray without ceasing.

 ¹⁸  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

We used the GPS to guide us to our destination.  Apparently it was a quicker route to go through several small towns...one of which was having their Kick-Off-to-Little-League parade.