Richmond

 I had a cool experience the other day. Actually, a chain of events. It began with leaving a voicemail for a friend of mine while driving. I was in the zone thinking about what I wanted to say to my friend and as I was leaving the message for her, my eyes refocused and I realized I was heading right for a red light. Full speed.

That morning, I heard my brakes scraping on my car as I backed out of my driveway. Mental check: get new back brakes.

My car is old and heavy. The thing is a tank. 15 years old and has almost 216k miles on it. I call it my blessing-mobile.

So, judging with how my car stops, which is less quick than I would like .. I got on my brakes. The car in the opposite turning lane turned and I hoped that the light would change in time as I made my calculation that I would do a “rolling stop,” save my brakes .. And roll through the intersection.

My voicemail to my friend: “hi beautiful, I just wanted to return your call and was hoping I would catch you .. Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap .. I just rolled through a red light ..” (Slight siren from a police officer DIRECTLY behind me) ” .. .. And, I’m getting pulled over. Just ran a red light. Okay I’ll talk to you later. Love you.”

Long story short, yes, I got a ticket for the red light, and today I spent going and getting my brakes fixed.

Some thoughts: you never know when your life will be a light or inspiration to someone else. I’m kind of weird, I write on my windshield with dry erase marker (and my rear view mirror, too) usually things that I am focused on. Usually spiritual. Sometimes business goals I’m chewing on how to accomplish. My thought with that a year ago was that I would always be looking at it daily, and, hey .. I’m “driving towards it” .. Haha, yes, I’m a dork. But I think it’s valid. 😉

When I was picking up my car from the shop today, the owner said to me how he liked my writing and the scripture verse I had on my dash. It was a verse I picked up at the YMCA the other day and put it there as a personal reminder.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

It inspired the owner. It was a cool moment when he was telling me about it. I didn’t put it there for him, I was just being me .. And who we are impacts people.

Upon leaving and driving through the not-so-posh part of Richmond, I remembered .. I am here for a reason. I’ve been in one place, about 9 years now, (which is strange for me), for a reason. And it is a mission. I have a heart for this city and a song came to mind that inspired me a while back: “In My City” by Andy Mineo.

I’m not here to promote church. Although, community is good. I’m not here to promote religion. Religion was never the goal. I’m here to promote God. And if that means I get a ticket and go to traffic court so that who I am can stand before others and hopefully be an impact, then so be it. All things work together for good for those who love God. That is my perspective on my life. And I want to see that for everyone around me.

Today’s Dare: Watch the music video I linked above. His lyrics are on point and his lyricism is great.

What’s your mission in this life? I’d truly love to hear about it.