I am fascinated by rail yards. I have no idea when this happened or how, I didn't grow up around trains and don't have a reason for the affinity. But it is pictures like the one to the right that I think are wonderful metaphors for our life. When I am traveling through large cities I look for the rail yards to see how many people are crossing paths that day and wonder about their destinations.

As school has begun and we are turning from summer to fall programming I am somwhere in the midst of these swimming tracks. Think for a moment about what it takes to change tracks for a train. These "switches" only move a few inches and they are able to direct a multi ton vehicle onto a whole new path...or keep it from harm. Small movements can make big differences.

If trains take these changes too quickly they are prone to derailing. The train's wheels are taken from a wide place to a narrower place to change tracks. Going from the outside of the wheels to the inside to find the path. Too quickly and the wheels miss the change and derail. Thankfully we have wide places in the road that give a place to gather ourselves before heading to the narrow way...but rushing ahead without our senses can send us reeling.

I am switching tracks as kids get back school and focus changes. I am praying for patience and for sure footing and looking for the little things that will make a big difference. I don't see my life as complicated as the picture, but I know some lives that are that complicated. And I hope you will know peace this day or this moment. And this could be a wide place in the road for you before heading on down the line.

Peace