The Day God Refused To Pay For My Train Ticket
It was only one ride
It was my regular commuter train ride. Each morning I caught the 6:50 am train from my suburban neighborhood commuter station into downtown Chicago. I worked all day and if everything was on schedule, I would catch the 5:14 pm train back to the hometown station and my comfortable two story 4 bedroom home.
After keeping that schedule for several years, I and the other commuters on these trains developed a camaraderie. We learned each other’s names, their occupation, and the names of their family members. Over time it became a friendship. Some members of the group became close enough to meet for a drink or two after hours. Occasionally they would have dinner together. I even had a short romantic relationship with one person I met before I met my wife.
For me, the one-way ride into and out of town cost about $5. Most commuters would buy a 20-ride pass, for a discounted price saving the user a few dollars.
Then one evening I took my usual seat across from a fellow commuter I knew well. We exchanged pleasantries toward each other, then buried our heads in the remains of a newspaper someone had left on the seat from earlier in the day. I took the sports section; he took the business section.
A minute later a gentleman, not a member of our usual group, sat across the aisle from us. He dressed smartly like an executive or banker. After getting comfortable, the gentleman removed a well-worn bible from his bag and began to reread highlighted passages, pausing to reflect on each revelation.
Just before the train pulled out of the station another young man dressed in casual clothing and carrying a backpack walked into the car. I had not seen him before.
He eyed up the passengers including myself and my fellow commuter. He walked down the aisle past most of the daily commuters as if he was looking for someone specific. He didn’t see what he wanted. Then turned back up the aisle and took a seat opposite the executive-looking fellow sitting across the aisle from us.
He immediately struck up a conversation with the older well-dressed man. They were so close I could not help overhearing their conversation. The young man knew all the hot buttons that would test the older man’s knowledge of the bible and his faith in the Holy Spirit. It seemed he had found someone who was as devout as he pretended to be.
Not long after the train pulled from the station, the conductor came along to collect our tickets or sell a ticket to those who failed to buy one before boarding.
The younger man, although nicely dressed and well groomed, claimed he had no money. He could not afford the train fare. This was not the first time the conductor had encountered this situation. He handed the young man a slip to fill out with his name, address, and phone number. He handed him an envelope and instructed the young man he could pay the bill by check.
But before he could answer the executive offered to pay the young man’s train fare. The conductor took the money and handed the young man a ticket.
I remember hearing the young man say, “See, the Lord always takes care of his faithful.”
It annoyed me because from my viewpoint the Lord didn’t pay his train fare, the older gentleman did. He should have thanked the gentleman, not God.
The conductor turned toward our seats. I quickly folded my hands and began to pray. Perhaps the conductor would pass me by and not punch my ticket. Or maybe God would intervene on my behalf and inspire the executive to pay for my ticket as well? Either one would save me several dollars.
Well, you know the answer. Even though the conductor could see me deep in prayer, he took my ticket anyway and punched a hole in the last unused spot.
It seems you can’t get free train fare from God. Only from well-dressed executives.