Good Morning. I have a busy, but exciting day, ahead. I’m on the 06:13 train to Belfast, a full 90 minutes before my normal one. The reason? I have a big meeting to attend this afternoon, so want to get in early to prepare for it. A three hour meeting, no less, where I will be bombarded with questions by our senior management team. I need to look smart and think smart. All prayers and kind thoughts would be much appreciated.
The 07:48 express to Belfast is normally standing room only, as we are crammed into carriages like claustrophobic sardines, thanks to the good people of Northern Ireland Translink who resolutely refuse to put on extra carriages as that would ‘cost too much.’ It reminds me of one of those trains, you see on the Indian sub-continent. Next thing they will be charging folk to sit on the roof.
The 06:13 is an entirely different experience. It was empty. I had my pick of the seats, indeed I almost had an entire carriage to myself. I’ve heard of the early bird catching the worm but this is ridiculous. It was a veritable ghost train, hurtling through the darkness towards the bright lights of Belfast. Getting up early was hard this morning, but I reaped the reward. It was worth the struggle and effort on my part.
Of late, my faith has been a little bit like my train experiences. For a long time, I’ve been lazy. Not physically, but rather spiritually. I’ve been quite content to go with the flow, and drift along with the masses. I’ve done the bare minimum with regards my prayer life and Bible reading. I’ve turned my back on Christian fellowship and run a mile from anything remotely resembling a church.
I’ve become a zombie. I walk, I talk, I breathe. On the exterior, I give all the signs of being a perfectly normal, functioning human being. But inside, I have been dead. My faith has shrivelled up, a dried husk desperately in need of hydration and cultivation. I have succumbed to old habits and allowed my OCD to read its ugly head once more. I have chosen wrong paths and made poor decisions. I have taken the easy option and boarded the wrong train.
You will never be short of company on the wrong train. For it’s where the majority of us, end up at some point in our lives. You might have been on it recently, or indeed are travelling on it as I write this now. It’s the easier option, but an altogether less pleasant alternative. It’s taking you to the same destination, but in a very different manner. Your legs ache and fellow commuters elbow you in the ribs. It sucks.
The ghost train involved a little more effort, but is worth it. You travel in more spacious surroundings. It’s the train you need to be on, the train that your loved ones need to be on. Yet, it’s virtually empty. I’m going to be making a greater effort in the future to consistently board the ghost train. You can even call it the Holy Ghost train….did you see what I did there. Sorry, got a bit carried away there.
What train are you boarding today? Are you taking the lazy option, are you switching off and backing down, when you need to be switching on and stepping up to the mark? I would encourage you to join me on the ghost train today. I could sure do with the company and I’ve saved you a seat. It sure beats spending your commute with your nose shoved into a stranger’s armpit.
What train are you boarding this morning?
What’s been your worst commute to work?
Black Thoughts 
Reblogged this on Ideas.Become.Words and commented:
I know about both trains ….
but the ghost train
Is where I’d rather be 🤗
Have a fabulous meeting
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Thank you so much. I am delighted that you chose to repost the blog. A great honour.
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I always enjoy your posts … great core messages running through them 🌸💫
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You seem to have an uncanny insight into my life at the moment. Where have you hidden the cameras?
Enjoy your day. ☺
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Don’t worry David. It’s not in the bathroom 😉
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Have a fabulous meeting! Worst morning commute, I was driving the wrong way down a one way street, heading to my new post in a new city. Thankfully, it was 0530 and it was only me, and a few others at that time of day.
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Ha. I hope there were no traffic cops around. Thank you. The meeting went well 👍🏻
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Praying for your meeting! And I’ll see you on the ghost train!
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Thank you. The meeting went well. I’ll keep you a seat 😊
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Worst commute: In the fall in New England, a Turkey flew into my truck, popped a few rivets, knocked my printer off the wall. Have a great meeting!
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Thank you. That story puts my own commuting woes into perspective lol.
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“You will never be short of company on the wrong train.” Ain’t it the truth. Thanks for this perceptive post. I appreciate it.
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You’re very welcome. Thank you for reading.
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I hope your meeting went ok today! I’m on the motivation train to goalsville with one week left to finish my 90 day plan! Yep i know, I’m a geek 😂 it’s tough staying on this train all the time tho and I’m looking forward to being able to relax a little more when I’ve completed this goal.
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Thanks Lou. The meeting went well and you are all over your goals given your latest post. Well done.
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The Holy Ghost train is indeed more effort, but so worth the rewards. Hope all went smoothly at your meeting.
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The meeting went well thank you. Glad we are on the same train again 😊
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Yep. MY superstition is that, if I get my early bird off her lazy tail feathers, I’ll have even MORE challenges in life.
I suppose mine’s The Limbo Line.
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Did you take the photo? I love it!! Empty trains are sure better than crammed ones. I used to ride the NYC subway to Wall Street. We were crammed I literally body to body. You didn’t even have to hold on. No place to fall. But a great place for perverts to be unkind. Enough said..
How did the meeting go?
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No, I stole the photo off the internet lol. The meeting went very well, thanks.
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It is so darn hard not to backslide. Pull up your socks and get back on that train!
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I’m on it!!! 😊
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Still here, riding the rails (and nervous it may derail soon LOL)
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Hold on tight lol 😆
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As you said, God is faithful, even when we are not. And yeah I am holding on….
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I’m right there with you! I will keep you company! xo
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Thank you very much.
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I don’t know about over there, but here in the States, it is nearly impossible to find a church nowadays that does not resemble the “lukewarm church” spoken of in the book of Revelation. It grows ever more difficult to remain steadfast, as the opportunities for real faith-based fellowship are almost nonexistent.
Churches have instead become secularized – a social club at which to show off your wealth and good taste in clothing, jewelry, and mates. I was once very ill, lying in a hospital hallway, listening to two ladies speak about how great the service was last Sunday. I asked them to pray for/with me – and they looked at me like I was from another planet. Church for them had nothing to do with the holy and everything to do with pagan (civilian) life.
I hope your meeting went well!
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Thank you it did. There are a growing number of churches like this as well in Northern Ireland.
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“Soon they’ll be charging people to sit on the roof!” Lol. I rather enjoyed that line. This was one of my favorite blogs I’ve read from you. And yes I understood what you did and it was quite clever. Thank you. I’m trying to be apart of the ghost train, the holy ghost train.
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Thank you. Join me on the ghost train. There’s plenty of room 😊
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Reblogged this on Success Inspirers' World and commented:
This is good for you to read.
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Thank you very much.
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You are welcome!
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Obviously my most recent post reveals where I am. I needed this this morning. Thank you. I hope your meeting went well!
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Thank you. I’m glad it has helped you. Yes, the meeting went well.
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🙂 I just left a comment on your post about reading your Bible again, and click this post seems we were on the same train 🙂 LORD, thank You for always being patient with us, and thank You for helping us get back on the right track. 🙂
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Certainly! Glad to have you on board 😊
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I found this post by searching addiction and anxiety. Interesting read. I am definitely not on the right train. I haven’t been in a long while now. I am in danger of losing my family, my health is failing, and I feel demoralized. I have not set foot in a church in a long time. Perhaps I am unforgivable. These questions scrape at me at times. I hope I can find some answers.
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I’m glad you found my post. You sound like me a few years ago and I have had similar thoughts re: forgiveness. Keep fighting for your family. They need you so much.
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Thank you for the advise, I am just setting out on my blogging journey and am ashamed of my actions. I have read a few of your posts, I believe we have something in common. You are years ahead of me. Thanks again
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I doubt that I am but please keep fighting your demons.
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I love this post – brilliant analogy! Thank you
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Thank you Laura.
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