A Swan

"Does not God see my ways and count all my steps?"

Job 31: 4 (Ampl)

At this time of the year, train travel is especially hazardous as journeys are more likely to be delayed through major engineering works causing lengthy re-routing, or leaves on the line that can be so compressed that wheels cannot grip the tracks and the inevitable signal failures, that stop trains literally in their tracks between stations.

My recent trip to Birmingham was quite insightful as it provided another hazard that was quite unexpected. My local train, which should have taken me to the main line station in plenty of time to catch the intercity Voyager, was delayed for 50 minutes owing to a swan being on the line at the next station down. We were informed by the Station’s public address system, that as a protected species and owned by the Queen, swans cannot be intentionally killed, particularly by speeding trains. As a consequence, the electricity had to be disconnected from the main track and attempts made to apprehend the bird in a manner that would do it no harm. As the time of the departure of my intercity train came and went, I considered abandoning the day and returning home. I was ambivalent about continuing my journey, as I could visualise my day of carefully choreographed activities and meetings disintegrating into rushed actions and possibly missed appointments. But I realised this seemed a bit of an over reaction, probably caused by frustration at my predicament, and I decided to continue my journey.

Fortunately when I did eventually arrive at the main line station I discovered that Voyager had been equally delayed for the same reason and that I had 30 seconds to sprint down the platform and board it. As it whizzed through Christchurch , a local station, I saw three men restraining a swan. The knock on effect, apart from free tea in the buffet as compensation for the delay, were serious disruptions to many local and national trains, hundreds of miles up the line. Owing to the accumulated lateness, my intercity train was eventually terminated mid-route much to the annoyance of those traveling to the original final destination. I never heard what happened to the swan or why it came to be so far from water; its natural habitat. But I knew it must have been terrified. Thankfully, my day was not completely ruined. I was able to achieve some of what I had planned, but it did leave me with a sense of incompleteness and discomfort at having to race through the day to achieve as much as I could, before getting my train back home. It’s quite extraordinary how a lone swan could cause such disruption on a national scale; intrude into my life and complicate my carefully planned day.

Some say there are no unconnected random events and that everything is linked by synchronicity. I realised how this small event in my local life had such a big ripple effect for others on a national level. Like the big bang that some feel began our universe, it reverberates into the corners of our lives, creating seismic waves that demoralise or energise, depending upon which direction we are able to travel, fearfully or hopefully. Being open to all possibilities, is also being available for changes in direction; planned or otherwise. I was disappointed with myself for only thinking of the difficulties caused by the delay and for not considering the potential of the possibilities, brought about through the restructuring of my day. It was a lesson well learnt. The world, and indeed mine, does not stop spinning, because of a swan.

And perhaps at this time of the year, it is as good a time as any, to reflect on why we allow things to rock our boat. Christ stilled the Tempest, so why do we think it is still raging? Enjoy the Season.

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes]. The Lord [be] with you all" - 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (Ampl)

May the Holy Spirit of God keep you a traveler - on track, and at home, peaceful in your favourite pond.

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