Sometimes an unexpected change in plans is due to a significant blessing. I have been working on A Thousand Blessings since the spring and am more than half way through with the final edits. Normally, that would indicate that I am just a few months out from publishing. I’ve had many readers ask, and I have assured you we are looking at a fall of 2017 release date at the latest. Unfortunately, due to a change in my future method of publishing, A Thousand Blessings will be delayed for an undefined period of time.

Without question this is a positive change for this ministry of reaching women through fiction. As much as I regret the delay, God has made Himself evident in guiding me toward this new publishing avenue. I will keep you posted as I know more.

In the meantime, are you interested in short stories? I would like to provide a few to keep you attached to me as a reader while we shift gears in this ministry. I have a few ideas for stories, ones I’ve pondered before but never developed into full novel length.

Thanks for your encouragement along the way. Make sure to comment here. Are you a fan of short stories? Do you feel you can connect with characters in a shorter story setting?

A thousand blessings to you,
Lisa

After some time away from speaking engagements writing her 5th novel, A Thousand Blessings, Lisa will be opening her schedule for 2017 events. If you would like to have Lisa speak at your women’s event, contact: Emily Sweeney at 615-415-8823 or emily@esymarketing.com. Some dates in May and June will be unavailable. If you are covering a particular subject matter, contact us to to discuss your vision.

Just a couple of months ago, I traveled to South Carolina to visit with my son. Each time I go, I truly dread the drive. In order to get there, you have to pass through the mountains of North Carolina. I’m supposing they are beautiful if you’re not driving white-knuckled along the winding narrow lanes of the interstate. I get a sinking feeling the moment I see the mountains – even miles ahead of me – and only relax when they are miles behind in my rear view mirror.

This time was different. Something happened. I’m not saying this to be irreverent. I’m serious. Jesus was my co-Pilot.

Here’s how it usually goes. As I’m driving in the left lane (because the right lane behind the semis slows to about 45 mph), I am traveling, at times, maybe a foot from a concrete wall as tall as my car. It makes me sick at my stomach, and my entire body becomes rigid. Every time I pass a semi and we are traveling nauseatingly close, I keep peeking over at the semi. It seems out of the corner of my eye I’m seeing him drift over closer to me, so I have to keep my eye on him. Guess what? When I do that, I don’t have my eyes on the road. Sometimes, I look back and find myself even closer to the concrete barrier than a foot.

On the way there, as I drove and peeked this past trip, I heard a soft whisper from within. “Just keep it between the lines, Lisa.” Because I needed anything to keep my mind off my impending death by semi, I pondered this statement and even gave it a shot. I stopped peeking and just focused on the lines – my lines. I wasn’t constantly looking away only to find myself crossing the yellow line when I took my eyes off the road. I came to the conclusion; I had to trust that the semi driver was doing the same thing. The remainder of the drive there and the drive home were much more relaxing than ever before. Okay, maybe not relaxing, but I wasn’t nearly as freaked out.

My lesson: In life, too, just keep it between the lines. I need to tend to the business between my lines and quit peeking at others to make sure they are getting it right. I also need to quit peeking at others who might be doing it different or better than me. My lines are my lines. I want to be the best driver in my own lane even when it doesn’t look like someone else’s. Comparisons, whether good or bad, are pointless and will only leave you swerving into a concrete barrier. My ministry is what God has given me at this time and in this generation. He has never once asked me to look like or be like Beth Moore. He has a Beth Moore. Also, he has never asked me to be anyone else’s holy spirit. He is the Holy Spirit who will keep them between their own lines.

Not sure if any of this resonates with you, but I thought I would share. The point? Keep it between the lines. I heard that from an awesome, literal co-Pilot.