Night Lights

(copied from my 360.yahoo.com blog dated 10/28/07)

Something strange happened to me on Friday. After working three weeks on my new job, I had finally HAD IT with Northside traffic. On this particular day, after work, I spent 30 minutes driving 8 miles to the day care. Then I spent 50 minutes driving another 8 miles to my relatives house. After a lovely visit, I spent 20 minutes driving home with fussy, overly tired children. Added to my morning commute, I place my time in the car around 2 1/2 hours per day.

Traffic is soul crushing. It's like heavy weights across your shoulders. You slowly plod down a bleak highway, slowly plod through life. Hey, if I could get to know some of the people around me while I plodded, that might give traffic some redeeming value. Unfortunately, I feel alienated from the people around me as they cut me off and behave selfishly. Who wouldn't! They probably want out of this horrendous mess as badly as I do.

But, I whine (I wanted to say, "I digress" but I haven't actually gotten to any point, yet)...

I don't know how it happened. I don't remember those last twenty minutes. Have you ever been so zoned out that you drive somewhere, but don't actually remember doing it? That was me, until the city came into view. As I watched the twinkling lights of the skyscrapers pass by me, I felt an overwhelming calm. The tall buildings gave me a feeling of protection. The stress of driving in traffic drained out of me. "How can this be?" I wondered. Then I remembered the verse Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. And for the last two minutes of my drive (shockingly traffic free) I took comfort in knowing I would soon be in my safe place, tucking my children in, thanking God for providing a wonderful place of peace.

There is some inexplicable strength in the city. It doesn't make sense that a born and raised rural girl would come to appreciate it. I can't tell you how many people have tried to convince me that living in the city is bad. "You need to get those children out of the city." "I heard living too close to the city makes you a candidate for cancer." "The schools are bad and the people are dangerous." "Don't you feel trapped living in the city?" "You couldn't pay me enough to deal with city traffic. It's too hectic!" To all of this I say, the joke's on you...there is no traffic in the city. I have never felt so trapped than by the traffic on the Northside. And you live as close to your neighbor as I do. And by the way, you couldn't pay me enough to live on the northside! PEOPLE - give the city a chance. Once you get used to the noise - trains, ambulances, the screeching tires and bass music of tricked out cars, jake brakes on the highway, other strange industrial noises - the city can truly be a place of peace.