The Wrong Side of the Tracks

Have you heard the saying, "They live on the wrong side of the tracks"? When I was a kid, I did. I didn't realize what that meant until I got to Jr. High School. I loved the little house Mama, Daddy, and I lived in, so I didn't understand what the problem was. It was one of the more inexpensive housing areas in our small town, but we kept it clean, updated, painted, and had a beautiful yard with pretty trees and roses. We didn't have a garage or carport, but we did always have a good car. Our neighbors took care of their homes also.

There weren't many children on my block so I played alone a lot unless we went to my sister's house and I played with my nephew who was 18 months older than I. It was exciting to play with my twin niece and nephew, too. I never let the words hurt me. I knew that Daddy took good care of us.

When Terry and I married, we bought a new 14' wide trailer house and moved it to a small trailer park on "the wrong side of the tracks" close to Mama and Daddy. It was one of the best parks in town. We loved our home. Eventually, we crossed the tracks and purchased a little rent house and put our trailer behind it. We rented out the house and stayed in our beautiful trailer.

A note about the trailer: It was beautiful. 1975 model Great Lakes home. It had a red...yes I said 'red'...shag carpet throughout. (except for #2 bedroom, bath, and kitchen) The vinyl flooring was off white. It had dark panelling on all walls but one. That wall was white panelling with two large black iron keys on red velvet background. Doesn't that sound sweet?

Our furniture and appliances were furnished when we purchased the trailer. We had red velvet sofa and arm chairs trimmed in black vinyl....pretty...

Really, it did look pretty good. We loved it.

Eventually, we did move into the rent house, then across town, and finally twenty years ago, we moved to the country where we love our life now.

A few weeks ago, Terry and I were sitting in church. Bro. Jeff Hinshaw made a remark that brought me right back to my raising. "We used to be the little church on the wrong side of the tracks. Now we aren't because there ARE NO TRACKS!"

No tracks? True. The tracks were taken up in the past few years. Our town's history is that there were a couple of established communities that picked up all the buildings, banks, homes, and moved the location of our town to the railroad. It is weird that the railroad left the town. They say there were reasons for the tracks being taken up. (structural and economic issues)

So now what do we do? The 'tracks' are still in our mind. I catch myself looking both ways in case the once a week train chose to come through. I am afraid the "wrong side of the tracks" mentality is still there. That is too bad. Some people were never given a chance in school because of that mind set.

Of course, we all have mind sets that are wrong. Sometimes we hold ourselves back. For example, I was a solid B student. I made a few A's but B was my mainstay. Because of this, I never felt that I could really do anything great with my life.

I was not brainy enough to be a doctor or nurse. (I beat myself up about this even though I know I have problems with the sight of blood. Ask my kids.They will tell you that even if the word 'blood' is said too much, I pass out.)

Being a lawyer took more brain power than I thought I possessed. I thought about being a teacher. (Actually, I did teach pre-school for a few years in a Christian school.) The money for college just couldn't be found.

After our boys were born, I knew I was doing what I was supposed to do. I was a Mama.

Writing became my passion, and those old 'tracks' showed up in my mind. "You aren't smart enough to be an author." I remember that when my first book came out, I almost cried when Terry called me 'author-girl'. My face became hot. "I don't deserve to be called 'author'!", I thought.

Now, after 4 published books, I still struggle. I am getting used to the 'tracks' being gone. I still look for the 'train' once in a while, but not as much as I used to.

The purpose of all of this is for you to think about the 'tracks' you have in your mind. What is holding you back? Should it really be holding you back from doing something you know that God wants you to do? Step out. The train won't be coming. The tracks are gone.