Here is another modern parable I want to share with you. A farmer named Jed was at his produce stand when he saw his neighbor, Pete, walking up the road with a gunny sack in his hand and said, “Hi Pete. where are you off to?” Pete replied, “Ed Jones, up the road a piece, wants to buy one of my male pigs to raise for breeding and I’m delivering the little fellow in this sack.” Jed said, “That’s great. If I’m not here when you come back, I’ll see you at church Sunday, Lord willing.” Pete spun around, “Why do you always say that? Do you think God cares about your comings and goings? I will see you Sunday period.,” as he marched off. Later, as Jed was closing his stand, he saw Pete coming slowly back down the road. His hair was standing on end, his clothes were a mess and he was clutching the empty sack. Jed pulled up a chair and yelled, “Pete, come sit and rest a spell and tell me what happened to you.” Pete plopped down in the chair with a giant sigh and began, “I was almost to the Jones farm when it started to rain. i stepped under a big tree to keep from getting soaked. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning hit the tree. I thought for sure I was a goner. I dropped the sack and the frightened pig ran away. I was too stunned to chase after him.” Jed replied, “I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m so happy you survived it. Where are you going now?” Pete looked Jed straight in the eye and said, “I‘m going home, Lord willing.” I hope and pray that it never takes a bolt of lightning to remind us that as a son or daughter of God through faith in Christ Jesus our entire new life is to be lived in the will of our Heavenly Father.