Well drat (and other harsher words!) Ashworth Road is closed between Valley West Drive and 21st Street starting today thru Sunday. I drive Ashworth twice and sometimes three times a day. Easily 2,000 times in the last three years. What am I going to do now?
Ever notice how much we love our patterns and routines? Every morning, I do the Sudoku in the Des Moines Register while I eat breakfast. A few weeks ago the paper carrier accidentally threw our paper up on the roof. What was I supposed to do? Go back to bed and wait to start all over with my routine the next day?
I have lived in the same house for 28 years. I don’t know what I will do if I ever move somewhere and have to adjust to light switches in the “wrong” place and the bathroom on the right instead of the left.
We are used to things being familiar and routine. Life just feels more secure. We are always a little surprised and often frustrated (darn Ashworth!) when they change. I suppose the biggest challenge is knowing when a pattern is a secure path that is healthy and when it has become a rut, demanding more than it provides. Running every morning—that is probably a good healthy pattern. I admire my friends for their healthy approach to running. But I think even something as healthy as running can become an obsession.
While I was finding a detour to get to work, I was thinking about how often Jesus changed and challenged routines. He healed on the Sabbath. That was not routine for the Sabbath. He was a rabbi who ate with sinners, despicable people. That was a serious change of pattern.
Jesus served the first Communion ever during the Passover meal. The Passover meal was a traditional meal that had been held for centuries. It is a beautiful meal that commemorates the time when God brought the Hebrews out of slavery and reminds us all that God can bring us out of all sorts of slavery. It is filled with rich language and the taste of good food and also the taste of tears. And at what we call "The Last Supper" in the middle of this deep and familiar tradition of the Passover meal, Jesus changed the words. He lifted the bread and said: “This is my body broken for you.” I bet someone, maybe multiple people, around the table were thinking, “no, no, no! That is not how it is done!” That was not the pattern.
In Revelation 21 the voice of God tells us “See I am making all things new.” Making things new probably means changing old patterns. To reach for the new, we probably have to give up something of the old.
Right now, so many of our patterns are being tested.
So I have to find a new way to work. The truth is I love West Des Moines. I like the old neighborhoods near the Junction. I like the way Vine curves around and that strange round sculpture that sits along Vine. I like to walk in Resthaven Cemetery. I like the bike paths and the fact that a railroad track runs along Railroad Avenue. I like it that the firefighters dress up the Dalmatian dog statues outside the fire station on Railroad. I like Ashworth, even though it is shockingly narrow. I like the gardens in front of so many of the houses.
I can find a new way to work. And even find something to love in the changes.
You and I know the bigger challenge is finding our way through all the changing patterns we are facing right now. Right now, as God leads, we turn in another direction, we set a new course. We listen to those ancient words “see I am making all things new.” We hold our hands out for the bread Jesus offers. And we trust, even when the road seems strange and new and off course. We trust. And we watch for love to happen in the way that it will as our patterns change.
Blessings to you,
Pastor Cindy
Pastor Cindy Hickman
West Des Moines United Methodist Church
720 Grand Avenue
West Des Moines Iowa 50265
515-279-0826
Like us on Facebook or visit us at WDMUMC.org.
And Join us for worship! We are online at 9:30 every Sunday. And this Sunday we will worship live in our parking lot at 10:30. We will be awarding bibles to 3rd graders. Come and join the fun! Bring a lawn chair. Please follow COVID precautions. Wear a mask and social distance.
This week at West Des Moines United Methodist Church!
Just to clarify! I have been asked if people can come into the church. The answer is yes! You are welcome to come into the church. We ask that you wear a mask. We now have a security system and so to enter the church you will need to ring the doorbell, but you are welcome to come in. Groups of 15 or smaller are beginning to hold gatherings in the church, particularly when the weather is bad and they cannot meet outside. Pastor Trevor and our staff have measured rooms and determined which rooms are large enough to accommodate groups of people and maintain social distance. If your group would like to use the church, please contact Rachel Olson.
On Monday evenings in the sanctuary is open from 6-8 pm and one of the pastors is in the building. Please use the doors by the bell. We want to do all we can to keep people safe and at the same time give people access to the church building.
Tonight! In the parking lot! Pastor Trevor and Alice Burress are hosting a picnic. Bring your supper and a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on!
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