As life barrels along, take time to enjoy the ride

The following were sent by readers.

Riding the Train

At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel on our side. However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone. As time goes by, other people will board the train. They will be significant: our siblings, friends, children, and the love of our life. Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we don’t realize they vacated their seats.

This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos and goodbyes. Our success will consist of having a good relationship with all passengers. That will require that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery is: We do not know at which station we will be stepping down. So, we must live life to the full, always loving, forgiving, and offering the best of who we are. Doing this is important because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty, we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life. Reap success and give lots of love. Thank God for the journey. Lastly, I thank you for being a passenger on my train.

Run in the Rain

A tiny six-year-old with beautiful red hair and freckle faced went shopping with her mom. When they went to leave, they found it was pouring outside. The rain was so heavy it was gushing over the top of gutters. They all stood under the awning waiting for the rain to slack off.

Everyone waited, some patiently, others irritated because Mother Nature messed up their plans for the day. After watching the rain awhile, the innocent little girl broke the silence, “Mom, let’s run through the rain.”

“What?” Mom asked. “Let’s run through the rain!” she repeated.

“No, honey. We’ll wait until it slows down a bit,” Mom replied. “We’ll get soaked if we do.”

“No, we won’t, Mom. That’s not what you said this morning,” the young girl said.

“This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?”

“Don’t you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, ‘If God can get us through this, the Almighty can get us through anything!’”

The entire crowd was dumbfounded and stood in dead silence. You couldn’t hear anything but the rain. No one left. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.

Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. Yet this was a moment of affirmation in a young child’s life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. “Honey, you are absolutely right,” the mother said. “Let’s run through the rain. If God lets us get wet, maybe we just need a washing.”

Then off they ran. All stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked. They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. All got wet and received a good washing.

Circumstances in life or people can take away your material possessions, your money, and your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories. So, take time to live in the present and create new memories every day. Make time to run through the rain. Take the time to enjoy life to the full. It’s God’s gift to us.

Don’t forget to run in the rain!