Someone once said that military battle is moments of unbelievable intensity followed long periods of mind-numbing boredom.  It's my observation that most of us have plenty of excitement (at least in the form of change and stress), but once in a while something out-of-the-ordinary happens that has just enough intensity to be interesting.

I often go to Cairo to watch trains and read (moments of intensity followed by boredom).  Recently I had been trackside sitting in my car reading and I looked north and saw a fire at one of the switches.  I knew the small propane tanks beside many railroad switches fuel heaters that keep the switches clear of snow and ice, but this didn't look normal to me so I walked down the tracks for a closer inspection.  It looked like a fitting was loose, propane was leaking, and perhaps a spark from a passing train had ignited the fire.

I called 911, a county sheriff arrived, the Cairo Fire Department came next and in a few moments all was well.  I didn't leave until someone from CSX came to repair the fitting.

I wish I could tell you that my action kept a train with hazardous cargo from derailing and saved untold millions of lives. This would be a GREAT blog and story if I made the news or CSX gave me an award (preferably cash).

The truth is I did what anyone would do – the right thing.

Let's look for little right things to do.  We surely have plenty of opportunity during this 2014 Christmas season!

Blessings!

Pastor Mark