The Reckless Teenager Nearly Killed by a Train

You seemed in such a hurry on New Year's Eve as we drove side by side down US1 in Rockledge, Florida. It was quitting time and I know we both were probably in a hurry to get home. Could you feel the rumble of that hundred ton train next to us? I sure could. And when the train horn sounded...Wow. It's got the kind of sound that almost makes your teeth hurt. An unmistakable sound. A warning sound.

Because the traffic light we were at changed to green, and the train was parallel to our direction, we were both able to race ahead of the train and try to make that next intersection. Remember that, Little Blue Car? As I looked ahead at that next crossing, I thought, Should I try it? Could I make it across to the other side before the crossing gates come down?

I almost turned and went for it, but then the clanging bells started and the red lights began to flash. With Christmas just past, it's the season for flashing lights right now, and I wonder, did that somehow diminish the danger you were in? Did they just seem like just another set of flashing lights?

Coming from the other side of the tracks, not one, but TWO vehicles ducked under the lowering arms. The van driver, well, who could blame him. After all, he was a bit distracted with that cell phone call he was on. The woman in the car behind him, she had to clearly see the gates closing down, but did that stop her? Nope, not in the least. I saw her shoot a quick glance down the tracks, staring into the oncoming light on the thundering machinery, and then dart through the intersection on her merry way. I guess you could say that they both looked like well meaning adults. They were just in a hurry; just had to get home on this cool December evening.

So, little blue car, with your sporty tires and racing engine, did you really think you could make it across the tracks next? The guard rails are at a 45 degree angle, and descending quickly, and still you decide to go? I saw the brief brake lights before you gunned the engine. Did you have second thoughts about what you were going to attempt? Did you really wonder if the race against the train was worth it?

"SMACK" goes the crossing gate!

I wonder if the smack of the crossing rail cracked your windshield, or if you have bad scrape marks across the top of your car as you barreled on through, leaving only a shaking and wobbling crossing barrier in your wake. I would have studied your car's damage more, but my view was then blocked by a very large behemoth of steel known as -- a freight train.

So, you only got swatted. You aren't a twisted mess of metal ... today.

Yes, I noticed how young you were. I also remember the feeling of being invincible at age 16, but I have to ask: Was it worth it? Did you really get to your destination any quicker? Was it worth those breathless few moments when you weren't sure if you car was going to clear the tracks? Would your parents and friends have mourned you and wondered, why? Why couldn't he have just waited for the train to pass? Why did he have to endanger himself and others? (I say 'others' because I was already running through a mental checklist of how I would attempt to come to your aid should the train have crashed into you.)

So, am I just some old guy who's trying to take all the thrill and fun out of life? If you could meet me, I hope you'd learn and see that I'm not down on teenagers just because you're a... well, teenager. Take a look at some of my articles on prayer. (Creative Praying, Singing To A Cup, Cell Text Prayers) Notice how young people are mentioned? Sometimes we learn from the times in our lives where we get away with just a swat. Sometimes those moments help to define where we were prideful or arrogant, and with God's grace, we can begin to truly see that God desires to change us, to set us on a different path, to let us see through different eyes.

Things happened so quick at that railroad crossing, that there really wasn't time to pray for you then... But I'm praying for you now.

I'm praying that as you looked in your rearview mirror as the train slid past, that the cold, reality hit you: you almost didn't make it. Your life almost ended in a train crash.

I'm praying that you'll admit to yourself and to God that you blew this one... and then, forgive yourself, and accept God's forgiveness.

Take a deep breath and decide to move forward with your life.

And tell others that sometimes the trains in life don't stop when you duck under the guards. Those warning signs and flashing lights? They're there for a reason: for life.

Choose life, friend. Choose life and refuge in the One who loves you.

...and next time, let's just stop and chat as we both wait for the train to go by.

© Copyright 2010 - Ron Masters

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The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
-- Proverbs 27:12 NIV