People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Standing at the Trinity Railway Station in Dallas, I had time to watch people as they disembarked or boarded another train on the other side of the terminal. A mother and her daughter anxiously awaited the arrival of a loved one. A family of five carefully navigated the crowd with their luggage in tow, dad and mom checking on the kids to make sure they weren't lost in the shuffle. A woman walked away from the line of passengers waving one last time to someone I couldn't see, and then turning, her face beginning to betray the emotion welling up inside her. She began to weep as I walked passed her. Many others were alone, like me, with no one to say hi to or goodbye to. A mass of people. All individuals, yet collectively a patchwork of humanity.

As I boarded my train, there was a young couple, obviously in love cuddling in their seats. There was the man, with a book in his hand, a drink in the other, plopping down across from me, banging his head against a metal box. He reacted with an expletive. He said, "As many times as I've been on these trains, you'd think I'd remember that thing was there." We kind of chuckled together. That was his signal. I would be a willing listener. He began to talk for the next 30 minutes.

He shared about his truck driving career. He talked about the kind of money he used to make. He mentioned time spent in jail. He told me about his disability and his need for both knee replacement and hip replacement surgery. I noticed his accent was definitely not Texan. I was right, he was from Michigan. He grew up just outside of East Lansing. He was a Wolverine fan until they fired Bo Schembechler. He still roots for the Michigan State Spartans.

You'd never believe it, but once there was a time when love was in his life. He used to make really good money driving, but she spent the money as fast as he could make it. Whatever happened to that flame, he never disclosed, but it had obviously been over for a while. He mused that the next woman would never know how much money he had unless she had given money to him.

We arrived at my destination. We exchanged farewells. He had talked 98% of the time. I listened mostly, taking this character in. I made a wrong turn, missed my connection. I had to wait an extra 30 minutes for the next train. I had time to think about all I had seen and heard.

Everyone has a story to tell. Its unique and personal. Some tales are happy and joyful. Some are filled with love and laughter. Some are filled with difficulty and pain. Most stories are a concoction of all of the above. People fall in love, they break up, they make money, they lose it, they celebrate happy reunions, they mourn tearful goodbyes. Life is complex and unpredictable.

And yet, we live. Life is a gift from God. Every day is an opportunity to cherish our loved ones and friends. Every day is a chance to help put smiles on people's faces, to wipe away someone's tears, to listen to someone's fears and anxieties, to encourage someone, to lend a hand, to show them grace and kindness.

Every day is a chance to walk with Jesus and to see the world through His eyes. To feel a fraction of what He feels for every soul. To sense that people are to be pitied and that they need compassion and mercy.

I wish I could save everyone. I wish I could save someone. Shoot, I can't even save myself. Spending time with people and being surrounded by people its obvious mankind is poor and lost and blind and weak. We need a Savior.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He's the Savior of the World. He is able to reach any of us. He can mend the brokenhearted, deliver the captives, heal the sick, restore the outcast, transform the unwanted, rescue the lost. There is no one beyond His reach! There is no story so tragic or regrettable that He cannot rewrite the tale and bring it to a happy ending.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Great thoughts!

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Good insight on a day in the life of___________

:thumbsup

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

I was moved by the story. I had skipped it once because of a lack of time, however, I am thankful now that I have read it. We agree on very little, but I have often felt this pull on my heart as well. I am so thankful that we have a loving God, and I pray that there may be more done to reach this world.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Sir,
I imagine your sermons are inspirational and anointed as well.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Thanks Word

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Thanks Jay. Deep down most of us desire then same things. We just disagree how to accomplish that. Ultimately I think most of us agree that Jesus is the answer.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Thanks JD. You need to come back to Memphis and we can go get some Interstate BBQ!

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

What you wrote is what people need to hear. We all long to have some kindness in our life.

So...you live in Memphis? Gotta make a trip up there this weekend. Where is that Interstate BBQ?

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

That would be AWESOME!

We may see each other sooner than later. :highfive

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Downtown Memphis. The family that owns it has a cooking show on Food Network. One of many great BBQs in Memphis. Rendezvous, Blues City Cafe, Corkys and Cozy Corner are some others that are worth checking out.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

i just saw bbq resturant get a make over by food networks resturant impossible, cant remember the name of it though.

my wifes aunt is a teacher in memphis, i live in cookeville, were almost neighbors.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Downtown eh?

I never go downtown Memphis by myself. I think I will wait until hubby is off work to go with me.

We have discussed moving to Memphis from time to time.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

I have watched that show quite a bit. It is interesting to go to foodnetwork.com/ri and read the follow ups. As you can imagine MOST of the restaurants have gone back to their old ways -you just can't change the way someone runs something in two days, but in a few cases they have really been turned around, and stayed turned around.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

me and my wife like food network. seems like the shows we watch are all about cooking competitions. chopped, food network star, next iron chef sweet genius. cup cake wars etc.


no im not a glutan i just like to watch competition..... however in late august and september my attention will turn to football!!

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

One of the few good things in Memphis. I lived in West Memphis for about a decade. Good times, most of it because of the church I attended (Bob McCool's pastorate in West Memphis - good people). BBQ wise the best I've had is the Dreamland sauce and my dad-in-law's dry ribs. Full Moon in Birmingham is really, really good all the way around.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

hey Deacon, what's the name of the chicken place they line up around the corner to get into? I keep telling people here about it, but I can't remember the name for the life of me.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Probably Gus's Fried Chicken. Memphis usually gets rated asnonenof the most unhealthy cities in America, but truth is it's because we eat soo good here! No tofu, bean sprouts and gluten free anything around here! Deep fried, cooked in butter, pork fat and anything else delectable and delicious!

The soul food here is also to die for! Melanies on Watkins has really good catfish, buffalo fish, fried chicken, ox tails, turkey necks, yams, butter beans---the Leach family can cook up some grub!

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

GUS's!!! That's it. Thank you!

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"Mmmmmmm.... chicken...... rrrrrrrrr"

http://im.glogster.com/media/2/5/27/77/5277783.gif

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

The Commissary is my favorite around here!

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

you live near memphis to? How many people on this forum is from tennesee?

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Well Sherri is about an hour away and there are a couple others.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

we should change the name of the forum to the rednecks of TN.... I live about a hour away from nashville.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

I lived there for a decade, one brother lives an hour away and other is in Tipton County.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Perhaps these are the REAL faces behind the screen names.

http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbn...5be2b718f27506

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

That tells me you haven't been to the new Farmer's Market in Cordova.

I freaked out over fruits and veggies that I never saw in my life. Spikey looking fruits. They even sell cane sugar by the chopped down cane. Whole fish of many kinds. There was some sort of huge fruit...about the size of a full blown balloon with spike-like outer covering. I did not get too close to that because it really smelled bad. I am guessing it is a natural smell. Fresh turmeric. Purple potatoes. Many other fruits and veggies \ that I cannot get where I live. They must cater to the growing mexican, asian and indian populations.

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

I'm going there this weekend!!

Re: People, Stories, Life and Happy Endings
 

Great writing.

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I was surprised at how affordable the food was priced.

I enjoyed the purple mashed potatoes. They have got a whole isle of different types of asian noodles. I chose some rice noodles. I am going to chop up some asian veggies and grate some of that fresh turmeric into the noodles. I might also wok some chicken strips and onions. :D