LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;” (Romans 5:3)

I like the Monkees’ music. I know, I know, the Monkees were not a “real” group. They were a group of studio musicians and singers providing music for the late ‘60s T.V. show, very much like the situation with, “The Partridge Family”. Nevertheless, I find songs like, “Day Dream Believer”, “I’m a Believer”, and “Last Train to Clarksville” very pleasant to listen to.

I’ve got “Last Train to Clarksville” on my mind because I just drove in from beautiful downtown Framingham after having had a lovely experience with a blocked railroad crossing. I know that a few weeks back I wrote that I was going to try to do far less complaining on my blog. So, I’m trying to make this LESS about complaining and more about reflection and application. I guess you’ve got to make being stuck at a train crossing for quite a long time about reflection and application or you’re liable to have a cardiac arrest!

I was the first car in line to make a left turn from Route 135 eastbound (Waverley Street) to Bishop Street at Dennison Crossing to head north toward my residence. First, I was stopped for a red light. Then, the crossing guards came down with lights flashing and an MBTA Commuter Train heading into Boston went through. Then we were still held by the red light from making a left turn. Next, an Amtrak passenger train heading west went through the crossing. Then, twin CSX freight engines went through. Next some pedestrians decided to cross in front of the line of traffic I was in. Then a school bus (observing the law) made a full stop at the railroad crossing, delaying any cars who wanted to proceed. Finally after I don’t know how long, I was able to drive forward.

The issue of railroad crossings in downtown Framingham, and what to do about them, has been a hot and controversial one for over a hundred years. One of the big problems is that Framingham was and still is a big railroad hub. I haven’t counted all of them, but I understand there are 9 railroad crossings in the downtown Framingham area. A big issue is often made of the crossing at 126 and 135 and of the congestion on Route 126, but I’m among those who believe “Dennison Crossing” (where I was today) is actually worse; and that the congestion on Route 135 is more of a problem than the congestion on Route 126. There’s been a lot of talk about constructing a Route 126 underpass, but even in the unlikely event that happens, I don’t think it will solve most of the problems.

Well, all of THAT gets back to my reflection and application. We evangelicals joke about “never praying for patience” because when you pray for patience God allows all sorts of trials in your life. Yes, “tribulation worketh patience”. Sometimes that tribulation is VERY serious stuff: cancer, loss of a job, giving birth to a disabled child, an elderly parent being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, things like that. Other times it’s being stuck at a railroad crossing and wondering why you’re seemingly wasting your time.

As much as I hate to admit it, I’m one of those people who really likes to be “in control”. But situations like today at the Dennison railroad crossing remind me just how much “control” I really have, and it ain’t much! What is it they say in the Recovery programs... “Let Go and Let God”? I know they also say “One Day at a Time” and “Easy Does It”. No, I’m not in control, and yes, next time I’m stuck at Dennison Crossing, maybe I’ll just relax and sing “Last Train to Clarksville”!