Joshua could feel the steam pressure building and the massive pistons pulsing. Then
the shaft began turning, the wheels found traction, and the locomotive started to
move. A thick, black smoke was belching from its stack, as the train pulled away
from the station, passing by a water tower, where it had just been filled. As the
train rounded a curve headed up Hills Creek, it passed an old shop, where locomotives
were serviced and repaired, and on a sidetrack was a graveyard of antiquated but
fascinating equipment.
Joshua thought, “I would give anything if Julie and little
Josh were with me.” He had quit his job in a fit of anger and when the bills mounted,
he bailed out on his wife and little boy. “What was I thinking?” he reasoned. “I
wasn’t.”
It wasn’t the peak season for this scenic railroad ride and the only other
person was at the back of the car. Joshua threw up his hand with a friendly gesture
and spoke loudly over the clamoring locomotive. “First train ride, man?” The stranger
replied. “No, I’ve taken this trip many times. How about you, Joshua?” “First time,”
he answered. Then it dawned on him that the stranger called him by name. “Do I know
you?” Joshua asked. “Not yet, but I knew you before you were in your mother’s womb,”
the stranger replied.
A familiar voice spoke, “Mummy can daddy hear me?”
“I’m sure he can,” the mum replied.
The pressure was building, and the locomotive
was almost full steam as it continued its laborious journey up Lookout Mountain toward
the two switchbacks. Joshua spoke with great anticipation, “We’re coming up on the
first switchback.” The stranger responded,“ There are many mountains in life that
you can’t climb on your own, but if you allow me, I will be the force behind you
that will take you to the top.”
“Hold on Joshua,” the mum said.
There was a loud huff
of the stack, the clanking of gears and pistons, and the furious scream of the whistle,
as the train went through a crossing, and the ever present clackety-
It
occurred to Joshua that possibly this train ride was a dream and not real at all.
He remembered he was on his way to pick up little Josh. Frantically he spoke, “Am
I dead?” The stranger had moved closer and his very presence melted the anxiety that
was making Joshua’s heart pound in rhythm to the locomotive. Then he spoke softly
saying, “Joshua, you’ve always been dead, but I came that you might have life and
that life more abundantly.”
“Mummy, daddy just moved,” the boy said. “Joshua, I’m
here and always will be.” the mum replied.
The locomotive conquered the first grade
and quickly ascended to the last switchback. Cinders were flying and the cool autumn
wind was whirling through the car like a mini tornado in Kansas.
Joshua insisted,
“Am I dead?” The stranger opened his arms and said, “I died for you, Joshua. If you
believe in your heart and call upon my name, you will be saved and will never perish.
Do you believe?” Joshua answered, Yes, Lord I believe.”
As the train ascended the
final steep grade you could see Shepherd Station in the distance. “What now?” Joshua
asked. “Your time isn’t up. Listen! And you will hear a voice behind you telling
you what to do,” said the Lord.
He could feel someone holding his hand as he struggled
to get his eyes opened. Then with blurry vision he saw Julie. “What happened?” he
whispered. “You had a blowout and wrecked your car. Stay calm and I’ll get a nurse,”
she said.
“Julie, I met this man,” he said. Julie turned as she was leaving to get
a nurse and said, “I love you.”
The End
Michael Cochran
All Aboard