In Transit

Photo by Derek Story on Unsplash














Living in an area crisscrossed by railroad tracks, I hear train horns day and night. The long, mournful wail makes me smile, reminding me that there are people and things on their way to the far reaches of the continent, and they happen to be passing close by. Even though I’m settled in my cozy home or office, the trains are forever moving. Someone is traveling to a new destination for a fresh start, or to spend time with loved ones. Someone’s special order is on its way to surprise and delight, and it has to go through my city to get there.

I’ve been on the other side, too. I’ve traveled by train, watching small towns zip by the windows, following rivers and seeing mountains approach in the distance. I’ve drifted off to the steady click-clack, click-clack of the wheels on the tracks. I’ve experienced the anticipation of the journey and arriving at my destination.

Kay Warren writes in the book, Choose Joy, that “life is much more like a set of parallel train tracks, with joy and sorrow running inseparably throughout our days.” Whether we’re stuck behind a train in traffic or on our way across the country, we are all traveling through life. We inevitably have times of pain and struggle, but we can choose to find joy and purpose in any circumstance. And when we realize we are blessed beyond measure, our joy can help those who are struggling. We never know when a train will come our way, and like the cars of a train, we’re all connected on this journey. 


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