As I sit I can hear a train approaching in the distance and I anticipate hearing its whistle blow. A friendly warning that something huge is barreling down the tracks and that we should be aware.
Ah, there it is.
A signal that we have been trained to understand. It represents something being put into motion for a purpose. The purpose of this train is to connect multiple points together along the same path and to share the load. Oddly enough not all trains announce themselves before arriving. I find that interesting and I must research this more. But until then I watch the train pass and observe its cargo as it rolls by.
In looking back over the past twenty years, I can see how in life we function a lot like trains. I have been blessed to have many people in my life who are the tracks. They have been foundational in creating a secure pathway for me to travel and rely on. Some are the cars that help lift heavy loads whether for a short distance or the long haul. There are friends who resemble the coupler who are great at holding things together. Then there are crossing guards. With a train they flash and signal that it is arriving and we can’t cross the tracks. They are there for our protection. There are people in our lives that make sure we are headed the right direction.
Just like each part of the train is vital to its proper operations, our lives function and thrive with the right people in it. We can’t operate alone; we were created to be in community with one another, sharing the load, helping to keep things connected, and encouraging one another.
Since moving this close to the trains I have found them to be a comfort. It’s strange, I know. But they remind me of progress, of strength, and represent generations before us who not only worked the railway but benefited from their ability to connect things and people together.
I am truly grateful for the family and friends who journey through this life with me.
I encourage you to watch a train next time it barrels by, and observe its strength and all the parts that make it successful. Take the time to recognize people in your life that help you succeed. And don’t forget to be vital in someone else’s life too. Together we can put things into motion and accomplish great things.