Car Number 4203
The train lumbered through the cool, spring, Ontario country side. The white fields and dense bush swept by us as we sped to the city of Ottawa. It was all interesting for us as we take a break and travel to our Canadian Capital City.
But the most interesting part of the train trip is the collection of fellow passengers on car #4203. From seats 12A & 12B we were centered in all the action.
Are you a ‘people watcher’? I am – I love watching what people do and listening to what they say. They give some marvelous hints of what they are all about.
The gal sitting across the aisle was a ‘legal person’ of some sort. For three hours she poured over a huge pile of typed paper sheets. With her pencil she made note after note in the columns. She was dressed well. Heading to Ottawa from Toronto – hmmm? Maybe in Politics too?
Three seats up in the aisle seats across from each other were two older, sociable ladies. They talked to everyone. People walking by or people sitting near them were their new friends. They talked to each person. They seemed to be the welcoming committee for car #4203. The University student that paused and allowed them to catch his eye – was caught. The look on his face as he tried to get away was priceless. There he was, caught by two sharp old gals that were simply interested in him. In a short few moments they found out more about what and who he was than he ever wanted to them to know.
At the back of the car #4203 there was the two young musicians, strumming their guitars. These were electric guitars with no AMP. They kind of made some sort of sound – but no sound really. They were proud of their guitars for sure…and likely had them out so we could see. Maybe they were part of a new 16 year old band…who knows? They were avoiding the two older ladies in the center of the car. They saw the ones that they had caught.
Car #4203 was managed by “Mr. Chris”, a tall man with greasy hair and a limp. He wasn’t too interested in car #4203 – tolerating us all – but not interested. Mr. Chris worked for Via Rail and charged $1.75 for the pop. His dry sandwiches were not selling well.
Almost all the seats were full of interesting people, unusual people and people like me – watching people like me.
As we were propelled through Ontario we were together and yet apart. The thing that connected us was the train car #4203. It was home to us for a little over three hours.
As I sat watching and listening I thought about a bigger car – something like #4203 – but much bigger. It is my world. I am situated on it and moving a tremendous speed – Earth. Wow what a car.
But in reality my part of the ‘Earth car’ is small. I am fastened to my seat and stay alone for the most part of my life. I go out only to get my little job done and then quickly run back to my small section of life again. Just like everyone else.
On car #4203 there were many people moving quickly through the country side. But none of us came close to each other – except maybe the two older ladies that knew more about everyone before their ride was up. In away that is sad – we got off the train at the end not knowing any of our fellow passengers.
That simple glimpse for me is so much like life. Speeding through my life on the ‘Earth car’ I can remain isolated and alone – never having met anyone the entire ride. Or I can chose to do something different about it and meet someone.
As Alida and I walked through the streets of Ottawa we met most everyone heading home after a long day’s work. Many were young adults walking alone or standing at bus stops. Few were smiling and all were alone.
Alida looked at me and made a statement that struck me with the weight she was feeling. She said, “You know I bet there are a lot of people that go home from these jobs with no one to talk to.” It was so true. Here they are from many other places, working at important jobs and getting somewhere and no where. Just lonely people all riding on a big, fast moving car.
We stopped in a Shoppers Drug Mart to buy something. In front of us was a lady fumbling with a plastic sandwich bag filed with pennies and nickels and a dimes. She bought some lip balm and some candy then left. She was likely a street person paying for something with the money she had begged for.
In another strip mall we walked through there was a lady laying in the walkway between the stores. She was completely gone as she laid on the hard floor. Dozens of people walked by her and looked without stopping. Most of the people were well dressed and moving quickly.
The streets of downtown Ottawa have many people begging for money. In one block we were stopped by three people and asked for spare change. It is quite an experience to watch these folk.
Reflection…
What will I do with my time today? Will I watch or will I connect with other around me?
I think the ladies in the middle of car #4203 have the right idea. They are out to make a difference where they are seated.
When the taller one of the friendly two looked at me and smiled, I smiled back. She wanted to talk…but I had an important book to read. I missed the opportunity for sure.
Today will be different. I will meet at least two new people and interact….in a meaningful way.
How about you?
What would Jesus do if he was on car #4203?
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
But the most interesting part of the train trip is the collection of fellow passengers on car #4203. From seats 12A & 12B we were centered in all the action.
Are you a ‘people watcher’? I am – I love watching what people do and listening to what they say. They give some marvelous hints of what they are all about.
The gal sitting across the aisle was a ‘legal person’ of some sort. For three hours she poured over a huge pile of typed paper sheets. With her pencil she made note after note in the columns. She was dressed well. Heading to Ottawa from Toronto – hmmm? Maybe in Politics too?
Three seats up in the aisle seats across from each other were two older, sociable ladies. They talked to everyone. People walking by or people sitting near them were their new friends. They talked to each person. They seemed to be the welcoming committee for car #4203. The University student that paused and allowed them to catch his eye – was caught. The look on his face as he tried to get away was priceless. There he was, caught by two sharp old gals that were simply interested in him. In a short few moments they found out more about what and who he was than he ever wanted to them to know.
At the back of the car #4203 there was the two young musicians, strumming their guitars. These were electric guitars with no AMP. They kind of made some sort of sound – but no sound really. They were proud of their guitars for sure…and likely had them out so we could see. Maybe they were part of a new 16 year old band…who knows? They were avoiding the two older ladies in the center of the car. They saw the ones that they had caught.
Car #4203 was managed by “Mr. Chris”, a tall man with greasy hair and a limp. He wasn’t too interested in car #4203 – tolerating us all – but not interested. Mr. Chris worked for Via Rail and charged $1.75 for the pop. His dry sandwiches were not selling well.
Almost all the seats were full of interesting people, unusual people and people like me – watching people like me.
As we were propelled through Ontario we were together and yet apart. The thing that connected us was the train car #4203. It was home to us for a little over three hours.
As I sat watching and listening I thought about a bigger car – something like #4203 – but much bigger. It is my world. I am situated on it and moving a tremendous speed – Earth. Wow what a car.
But in reality my part of the ‘Earth car’ is small. I am fastened to my seat and stay alone for the most part of my life. I go out only to get my little job done and then quickly run back to my small section of life again. Just like everyone else.
On car #4203 there were many people moving quickly through the country side. But none of us came close to each other – except maybe the two older ladies that knew more about everyone before their ride was up. In away that is sad – we got off the train at the end not knowing any of our fellow passengers.
That simple glimpse for me is so much like life. Speeding through my life on the ‘Earth car’ I can remain isolated and alone – never having met anyone the entire ride. Or I can chose to do something different about it and meet someone.
As Alida and I walked through the streets of Ottawa we met most everyone heading home after a long day’s work. Many were young adults walking alone or standing at bus stops. Few were smiling and all were alone.
Alida looked at me and made a statement that struck me with the weight she was feeling. She said, “You know I bet there are a lot of people that go home from these jobs with no one to talk to.” It was so true. Here they are from many other places, working at important jobs and getting somewhere and no where. Just lonely people all riding on a big, fast moving car.
We stopped in a Shoppers Drug Mart to buy something. In front of us was a lady fumbling with a plastic sandwich bag filed with pennies and nickels and a dimes. She bought some lip balm and some candy then left. She was likely a street person paying for something with the money she had begged for.
In another strip mall we walked through there was a lady laying in the walkway between the stores. She was completely gone as she laid on the hard floor. Dozens of people walked by her and looked without stopping. Most of the people were well dressed and moving quickly.
The streets of downtown Ottawa have many people begging for money. In one block we were stopped by three people and asked for spare change. It is quite an experience to watch these folk.
Reflection…
What will I do with my time today? Will I watch or will I connect with other around me?
I think the ladies in the middle of car #4203 have the right idea. They are out to make a difference where they are seated.
When the taller one of the friendly two looked at me and smiled, I smiled back. She wanted to talk…but I had an important book to read. I missed the opportunity for sure.
Today will be different. I will meet at least two new people and interact….in a meaningful way.
How about you?
What would Jesus do if he was on car #4203?
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Friday, March 28, 2008
1 Comments:
Hi Dad
I keep hoping you'll write a blog with the part of that sermon you gave about this time last year. It was about how kids will answer their parents with "whatever" and parents will do anything they need to keep their kids safe, "whatever". If you could remind me of the jist of it, I want to use it for a speech.
Bruce
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Anonymous, at 7:14 PM
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