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weekly Memo: advent peace

12/5/2019

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Dear Friends
 
Ever wake up with your to-do list on your mind?  I do!
 
This morning that to-do list was still bugging me on my drive in from Savage.  I knew I had a lot of things to accomplish in a short amount of time and I was anxious to get at them.  Truth be told, I was not anxious enough to wake up early and leave earlier than I normally do.  But that to-do list was on my mind.
 
Ever get annoyed at slow drivers on your way to something when your mind is on your to- list?  I do!
 
That lime green vehicle – did he even have a gas pedal?  It didn’t seem like it when I was behind him at the stop light at 13 and McColl when it turned green.  Five cars (I counted them) passed us in the other lane while he inched his way through the intersection.  I wondered aloud (though no one was in the car to hear me) what in the world was he doing?  Then I saw my chance and quickly signaled my lane change (I like to follow some of the rules on the road) and zipped my little “Ruby” (that’s what I like to call my vehicle), into the left lane to pass that lime green vehicle.  It didn’t take long to pass him, so I signaled again (points for my safe driving, right?) and got back into my desired lane. 
 
Ever have an “a-ha” moment where God gets ahold of you and sets your mind right again?  I did.
 
Almost the minute I passed that lime green vehicle, my heart knew I was out of sorts.  I took in a deep breath and found myself saying aloud (again, to no one but myself and God, because we were the only two inside Ruby), “Peace, Becky Jo!  Peace!”  I was flooded with a deep sense of my driving lacking the peace that we seek in this season of Advent.  I was overwhelmed with a sense of needing my driving to reflect my faith values (read Galatians 5:22 where Paul says if we have God’s Spirit at work in us we demonstrate things like peace and patience).
 
Ever get a second chance to do it right?  I did!
 
By the time I was on Pioneer Trail just before the stop light at Flying Cloud Drive God gave me another opportunity to reflect my faith in my driving.  A brown SUV signaled to get in my lane.  And rather than rushing ahead of the vehicle with my to-do list on my mind, I slowed my vehicle, let the SUV in my lane, and breathed out a peace that continued to rule over my work today.
 
May you breathe in the deep peace of the Christ Child and breathe out the peacefulness of God’s presence in all that you do as we proceed our way toward Christmas.
​

Pastor Becky Jo Messenbrink

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(952) 937-8781

15050 Scenic Heights Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
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