“For the practice individuals.”
The road crossing altered the hum of the railroad ties beneath us. I seemed up on the change in rhythm and seen graffiti on the facet of a constructing. What did the artist imply, “For the practice individuals”? I questioned if it have been painted at midnight of evening or in early morning. Did it seem the week earlier than, however I solely seen it as we speak?
I felt an odd connection to the stranger who left that notice for me and the opposite passengers. Maybe God was making an attempt to inform me one thing. At this time I used to be spending my morning journey making an attempt to wish.
A commuter practice is a good equalizer. Social hierarchy is irrelevant when seats fill on a first-come, first-served foundation. A homeless man safely napped; a scholar targeted on an project; a businessman reviewed his laptop computer as he prepped for a high-powered assembly within the large metropolis; and a toddler bounced with glee merely looking the window subsequent to her nanny. We have been plucked from one metropolis and plopped in one other 45 minutes away.
For a second, we have been collectively, however have been we a neighborhood? Did we discover, care about, and even pray for one another?
On the platform ready for our morning practice, which one among us first smiled on the different and stated hi there? After a 12 months of exchanging just a few sentences, Claire and I turned informal associates. We knew loads about one another. As soon as our practice arrived, we honored the sacred silence and sat in separate automobiles.
On the best way residence, I spent weeks nodding to a person and smiling earlier than I lastly realized the explanation he seemed so unhappy every night. He visited his spouse of 52 years in acute care and hated leaving her. From then on, he smiled each time I approached, and we talked of many issues, together with his childhood in Holland. Then sooner or later, he wasn’t there, and I by no means noticed him once more. Our tracks now not crossed. Had his spouse died? It harm to lose this informal pal. I used to be tempted to cease bothering to get to know individuals.
“For the practice individuals.”
What if Christ wrote that message on the wall, to remind me to see and look after others regardless of differing politics, well being, occupations, aspirations, worries, properties, and the structure of our lives?
So many individuals journey on totally different tracks. So many mysteries in regards to the lives of us passengers! And a few nameless graffiti artist mattered to me, impressed me, and can by no means realize it occurred.
It was the hand of God, who can use something to get seen, and does.