Obstruction or Opportunity?

Cait Winters reflects on waiting on the Lord and how her daughter’s words helped change her perspective. 

I live in a small town in Massachusetts. So small and coastal that it has only very recently acquired access to the famous commuter rail to South Station in Boston. Or as we call it, the T. It has been a controversial addition to the south coast of Massachusetts and the reactions of residents and neighbors have been mixed.   

Some are happy to have the option of public transportation to the city as this opens up many opportunities for the people in the community. Meanwhile others who live near the tracks are expressing their disdain. The tracks used to carry coal and wood, always slowly chugging along. Once in a while a whistle would sound. Now the commuter rail roars through at high speed every 90 minutes with horn blaring as it rumbles through.   

I live about a half-mile from the tracks in a neighborhood affected by these recent changes. I am personally impartial to the commuter rail. I am glad for the opportunities afforded to my neighbors and am still getting used to the presence of the train. I can hear it in the distance more often than before, but it is not so loud that it disrupts our life. 

Hurry Up and Wait!  

So our street is slightly noisier; that’s something I can handle. What really annoys me is getting stuck waiting for the train to pass. I am a busy mom of four, always driving out to this appointment, that co-op, or another activity, usually with minutes to spare. It seems no matter how much time I give myself, there is still little wiggle room left to get to our destination on time.  

Whether the baby needs changing or my son can’t find his shoe, it's always a race against the clock. It seems like each time I am in a hurry the arms of the crossing gate drop, red lights flashing at me, almost mockingly. I would grumble inwardly, and sometimes outwardly each time I met with this roadblock. It sometimes takes all of my effort to get everyone ready into the car, remembering each need and item to finally get on our way. At that point I don’t want to wait — I just want to go!   

One afternoon I was running the kids and my nephew to catechism in our usual hurried fashion. We drove past the train tracks without obstruction and I sent up a silent, grateful prayer. As our tires rolled over the bumpy tracks my 8 year old daughter said something that made me think. “Mommy, you know what the great thing is about railroad tracks?”, “What?” I asked, skeptical but amused. “If you’re lucky, you get to see a train!”. If you’re lucky. That caused me to reflect. 

What to Gain from the Wait  

While I was seeing only an obstruction, she was seeing an opportunity. As we run the race of faith, we only ever want to strive ahead. When God puts us in a place of waiting, we can doubt our path and become disillusioned. When we are faced with the same sin and temptations again and again, we may wonder if there is anything to gain from our cyclical failure. Our souls long to break through these roadblocks. We’ve tried our best, we’ve put in effort. We want Jesus now! 

I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:13-14)  

To be stouthearted is to be brave in the face of obstacles. To be undaunted by delays and persevere. It reminded me that instead of letting anxiety take over at every stop, I should take the time to look around, to see where God has placed me, and to learn along the way.  Instead of having to wait, I get to wait on the Lord — and if I follow Him, I know I’ll always arrive on time.   

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Copyright 2025 Cait Winters
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