There are times in your life when you want to try something different. As part of my adventure in Canada, I thought it would be a good idea to go for a train ride through the Rockies. My idea was that there would be lovely food, and an inspiring time in the observation lounge admiring the dramatic craggy rock formation and bright stars at night. A once in a life time trip.

I was a bit near the time getting my ticket, so I was to be in a recliner seat for the 20 hour journey. No bother I thought, it would be worth it for the experience. How hard could it be?

It all started off well. I was at the station early, I had a coffee and bought snacks. I got on the train at the end of a very long platform. I had some food, the staff were lovely, and I sat in the very quiet observation carriage and took a few photos of the snow covered landscape in the soft dwindling light.

It was dark, and I went back to my reclining seat. It was noisy in the carriage and a toddler was crying angrily. I had no WiFi. The night continued. The train kept stopping in the middle of nowhere for no apparent reason. It was still noisy and my book seemed a rather ambitious read. I tried to find a comfortable position, but I always seemed to be tangled up and sore, and at times I slid right off the seat.  Sleep remained elusive. Closing my eyes was all i could manage. At 2am we had a stop, at what looked like a freight station and the conductor announced that we could get off to stretch out legs. I was not doing that- I might miss getting back on the train in the night and be wondering round thousands of freight containers for the rest of my life. 

I am not going to lie, there were some weary and uncomfortable hours, when I thought why did I ever think this was a good idea?

And then after about 5am, I found a new rhythm. I decided to pray for friends, and family and the world. The woowoo of the train became comforting, the rocking motion reminded me of being held in a cradle. God transformed the things that were annoying me, and helped me come to terms with them.

I tell this story because often life follows this pattern. We are excited about doing something new. It goes well for a while, but then we hit a setback, and we are disorientated and discouraged. We question.

I think the thing that helps is that when we are doing something different or learning something new, it is good to remember that it is natural to have darker moments. Things are seldom exactly as we hope. But in these moments, we are not to give up, but to ask God to help us adapt, to find new insight, to refocus on the good.

Eventually on my train ride the morning light came. My eyes still felt as if they were on match sticks, and I was still exhausted. But I had a coffee, my energy returned, and I had a sense of achievement. I had survived a 20 hour train ride in the Rockies, and it had been good. At  the end of it all, I saw new unimaginable things and arrived in a new place. It was all worthwhile.

Gracious God, at times we can be in danger of being stuck in a rut and so we try new things. We start off full of enthusiasm,  bright eyed and bushy tailed. But then things are different from how we anticipate, we get tired and it is tempting to despair. Lord Jesus, thankyou that when we look to You, that You can transform our situation. Holy Spirit remind us of all that is good, help us to see the funny side of things, to accept setbacks, and to pray they might only be temporary. Keep all those who travel safe this day, and may the kindness of strangers always surprise. May setbacks never deter us from trying something new, and may we have courage to be pioneers even when it can feel daunting. In Jesus’ name, Amen.