We went to Iowa last weekend for some much needed family time. We split the time between two hospitals – grandma was in New Hampton, recovering from a stroke, and my sister was in Decorah after giving birth to a beautiful baby boy. Everyone is doing well.

When I woke up Saturday morning at my parent’s house, the house was quiet. Dad had already left for work and mom was sleeping off three nights of taking care of loved ones in various hospitals. My brother? He’s still a teenager that doesn’t much care to get out of bed before noon. I snuck out to the garage and got into my parent’s car. Like usual, they left the keys in the ignition, so I backed out and headed to town.

I took my time driving through the streets I know so well. I grabbed some breakfast then took the side roads to the post office to drop off the letter that had accumulated in the backseat. I actually parked the car, got out, walked inside, said hello to a postal worker and dropped mail into an outgoing mail slot. I drove by the old houses my friends used to live in and continued towards home.

I heard the familiar whistle before I even reached Old 63, the narrow road that leads to my parent’s house. I slowed to a stop…and actually had to wait for a train to pass by.

The ground shook a little as I sat in the car and waited for at least 100 train cars .

I honestly can’t remember the last time I waited for a train. In Minneapolis, trains go under the road and occasionally above it. When I’m driving up 77 or down 35W, I never have to stop for a train. In fact, I didn’t even notice that they run under the road until this past week when I was thinking about writing this post.

Waiting for a train made me reflect on how short my patience has gotten – maybe because I don’t have to wait for trains or general engage in any activity that involves making me wait for something. I expect to drive everywhere quickly; I expect my phone to connect me to the internet instantly; I expect to get what I want, when I want it.

But not so with the train in New Hampton. I had no choice but to wait. I rolled down the windows, breathed in the cool spring air, and asked God to grow me in this area. I have no doubt he’ll have me wait for more trains as he grows me in this area.