Showing posts with label transportation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label transportation. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Mozying around
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Encountering the Kindom of God in Unexpected Places
Public transportation is an interesting thing, full of interesting people.
Last night, I had a life-giving experience on the train in which I was blessed by the presence of strangers who are generous, kind, and full of hope. People who are willing to go out of their way to help someone out when it is all too easy to just ignore them. To turn up the music in our headphones (as I did) rather than take them off and have a [brief] conversation (as the guy across from me did). I was reminded that in many ways, this is my own, modern version of the Good Samaritan story... and I failed. [in a re-cap of this story to a friend, the story was repeated back as she said to me, "so you saw Jesus on the train tonight and ignored him?" ugh. yes. yes I did. but I took note of doing so...]
Tonight I was on the train with two men from church on our way home from our small group. As the doors closed and the train pulled away, an older gentleman asked one of them men I was with if he wanted to hear about Jesus Christ. The conversation was simple, yet awkward. He was questioned about his faith- are you a Christian or Jew? Catholic or Protestant? What denomination? What church? The quizzing went on. When his stop came and he got off the train, the gentleman turned to me. I need to know and pray to Mary and be a part of the one and only true church- the church that listens to the Pope, who is divinely inspired. My best response was that we would have to agree to disagree. That I am thankful for our diverse beliefs and respect and see great value in honoring our different traditions.
Intrigued with a comfortable response (?) he began to ask me more questions about myself. Am I a Northwestern student? This was my way out... but I felt like I couldn't take it- especially since a parishioner was standing next to me listening! No, I told him, knowing he wouldn't like what I was about to say- I'm a student at the Methodist seminary here in town. He was distraught with the idea that I- a woman- would ever be allowed to bless the sacraments or lead a church - "women are too easily corrupted!" Again- we would have to agree to disagree on this issue. The all of the sudden the man realized he had missed his stop. He began to freak out- to swear up a storm, including using the Lord's name in vain. I stood and watched and listened, distraught in my own way that he would move from trying to evangelize to creating a disruptive ruckus with language that proved offensive to many of those riding on the train with us...
The Kingdom of God is a fascinating thing. God's people are amazing, interesting people. It is opportunities to interact with them that give us further lessons to learn, further questions to ask, further opportunities to grow. For better or worse, I am confident this will not be the last of either of these kinds of experiences- from grace and love and and a faithful trust to cynicism and doubt and hypocrisy... God's people come in all shapes, sizes and colors. I am thankful for all of them... and hope that as we continue in dialogue, we will also continue to learn from one another's mistakes and come together in an effort to bring nearer the Kingdom of God that is upon us...
Last night, I had a life-giving experience on the train in which I was blessed by the presence of strangers who are generous, kind, and full of hope. People who are willing to go out of their way to help someone out when it is all too easy to just ignore them. To turn up the music in our headphones (as I did) rather than take them off and have a [brief] conversation (as the guy across from me did). I was reminded that in many ways, this is my own, modern version of the Good Samaritan story... and I failed. [in a re-cap of this story to a friend, the story was repeated back as she said to me, "so you saw Jesus on the train tonight and ignored him?" ugh. yes. yes I did. but I took note of doing so...]
Tonight I was on the train with two men from church on our way home from our small group. As the doors closed and the train pulled away, an older gentleman asked one of them men I was with if he wanted to hear about Jesus Christ. The conversation was simple, yet awkward. He was questioned about his faith- are you a Christian or Jew? Catholic or Protestant? What denomination? What church? The quizzing went on. When his stop came and he got off the train, the gentleman turned to me. I need to know and pray to Mary and be a part of the one and only true church- the church that listens to the Pope, who is divinely inspired. My best response was that we would have to agree to disagree. That I am thankful for our diverse beliefs and respect and see great value in honoring our different traditions.
Intrigued with a comfortable response (?) he began to ask me more questions about myself. Am I a Northwestern student? This was my way out... but I felt like I couldn't take it- especially since a parishioner was standing next to me listening! No, I told him, knowing he wouldn't like what I was about to say- I'm a student at the Methodist seminary here in town. He was distraught with the idea that I- a woman- would ever be allowed to bless the sacraments or lead a church - "women are too easily corrupted!" Again- we would have to agree to disagree on this issue. The all of the sudden the man realized he had missed his stop. He began to freak out- to swear up a storm, including using the Lord's name in vain. I stood and watched and listened, distraught in my own way that he would move from trying to evangelize to creating a disruptive ruckus with language that proved offensive to many of those riding on the train with us...
The Kingdom of God is a fascinating thing. God's people are amazing, interesting people. It is opportunities to interact with them that give us further lessons to learn, further questions to ask, further opportunities to grow. For better or worse, I am confident this will not be the last of either of these kinds of experiences- from grace and love and and a faithful trust to cynicism and doubt and hypocrisy... God's people come in all shapes, sizes and colors. I am thankful for all of them... and hope that as we continue in dialogue, we will also continue to learn from one another's mistakes and come together in an effort to bring nearer the Kingdom of God that is upon us...
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Driving in Chicago
I've forgotten what its like to drive, and how much I really do love the train.
This afternoon, I was *crunched* for time because of when our class session for General Conference was meeting... it was to get over at the same time as I needed to be at church. SO, in hopes of cutting time, my *wonderful* friend Carol offered to let me take her car. I wasn't sure it would help much more than 5-10 minutes, but with that being important time, AND knowing it would save 30-40 minutes on the way home because there would be no express trains, I accepted.
First of all, as I was driving down Sheridan road and about to get on Lakeshore Drive, I realized this was the first time I had ever driven in the city of Chicago! I've driven in Evanston and to the airport, but never into the city. Of course I know my way as if I had done it myself a thousand times, as I am used to being a passenger and have come to know the parts of the city I am required to go through quite well. Regardless, I certainly never anticipated the first time I drove in the city would be during rush hour! But it wasn't too bad... I've definitely seen (though not driven in) worse, and it was nice to have that time to myself in the car on the way there.
The way back was MUCH faster, so for that I was thankful. However, I also realized that as much as I sometimes hate the waiting and the hassle of the train, it sure is nice. Especially on Tuesdays. The train there gives me an opportunity to review my Bible Study for the evening, and the way home gives me time to reflect and be restful after a long, busy day. I can't get that kind of rest and peace in the car... at least not when I'm driving and have to pay attention to the road.
If I had a car, I would still plan to drive every Sunday, and perhaps even on Monday mornings. But Tuesdays? No, I think though its nice to get home so much quicker, the time I have to myself on the train to think, be restful, make phone calls or often even journal, is worth it. I missed that tonight, and part of me wished I hadn't had a car at all. But don't get me wrong- it was also *really* nice, and I appreciate others' willingness to help me out on days- weeks!- like this one.
This afternoon, I was *crunched* for time because of when our class session for General Conference was meeting... it was to get over at the same time as I needed to be at church. SO, in hopes of cutting time, my *wonderful* friend Carol offered to let me take her car. I wasn't sure it would help much more than 5-10 minutes, but with that being important time, AND knowing it would save 30-40 minutes on the way home because there would be no express trains, I accepted.
First of all, as I was driving down Sheridan road and about to get on Lakeshore Drive, I realized this was the first time I had ever driven in the city of Chicago! I've driven in Evanston and to the airport, but never into the city. Of course I know my way as if I had done it myself a thousand times, as I am used to being a passenger and have come to know the parts of the city I am required to go through quite well. Regardless, I certainly never anticipated the first time I drove in the city would be during rush hour! But it wasn't too bad... I've definitely seen (though not driven in) worse, and it was nice to have that time to myself in the car on the way there.
The way back was MUCH faster, so for that I was thankful. However, I also realized that as much as I sometimes hate the waiting and the hassle of the train, it sure is nice. Especially on Tuesdays. The train there gives me an opportunity to review my Bible Study for the evening, and the way home gives me time to reflect and be restful after a long, busy day. I can't get that kind of rest and peace in the car... at least not when I'm driving and have to pay attention to the road.
If I had a car, I would still plan to drive every Sunday, and perhaps even on Monday mornings. But Tuesdays? No, I think though its nice to get home so much quicker, the time I have to myself on the train to think, be restful, make phone calls or often even journal, is worth it. I missed that tonight, and part of me wished I hadn't had a car at all. But don't get me wrong- it was also *really* nice, and I appreciate others' willingness to help me out on days- weeks!- like this one.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
70 degree weather change in one day!
I'm literally FREEZING COLD, and shivering from head to toe. But at least I can feel my toes now, and they don't feel like they are going to burn off. This is different from 20 minutes ago.
First things first- why does the weather in the Midwest continue to surprise me after so many years!?!? When Ali and I left for the gym at 9:30 this morning, it was 48F outside. When I came home and checked the weather at 11pm, we'd been in the middle of a blizzard for a few hours, and it was -is!- 4F, -19F with the wind chill. That's a 70 degree F difference!!! BRRR!!!!
Then, on the way home tonight, I had to wait for TWENTY FIVE MINUTES for a train at Howard! Crazy train issues that are unacceptable led to this (of which I won't go into excessive detail here), but all I know is it was absolutely unacceptable! That is dangerously cold, and I was seriously concerned as I waddled to the train when it finally came. Waddled, that is, because the front half of my feet were literally so cold they were burning and it hurt to walk. And for the record- I was dressed appropriately with thick socks and my boots on. It was just that cold.
*sigh* A long (but good! until the end) day. I'm going to stay curled up with layers of clothes and blankets until I'm warm, then off to bed. I hope you all are staying warm tonight! Say an extra prayer for the homeless tonight, that they make it safely to warming centers in this dangerous weather.
First things first- why does the weather in the Midwest continue to surprise me after so many years!?!? When Ali and I left for the gym at 9:30 this morning, it was 48F outside. When I came home and checked the weather at 11pm, we'd been in the middle of a blizzard for a few hours, and it was -is!- 4F, -19F with the wind chill. That's a 70 degree F difference!!! BRRR!!!!
Then, on the way home tonight, I had to wait for TWENTY FIVE MINUTES for a train at Howard! Crazy train issues that are unacceptable led to this (of which I won't go into excessive detail here), but all I know is it was absolutely unacceptable! That is dangerously cold, and I was seriously concerned as I waddled to the train when it finally came. Waddled, that is, because the front half of my feet were literally so cold they were burning and it hurt to walk. And for the record- I was dressed appropriately with thick socks and my boots on. It was just that cold.
*sigh* A long (but good! until the end) day. I'm going to stay curled up with layers of clothes and blankets until I'm warm, then off to bed. I hope you all are staying warm tonight! Say an extra prayer for the homeless tonight, that they make it safely to warming centers in this dangerous weather.
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