but that ain't us.

We have a special treat today, friends. Brought to you, in part, by Writer's Block.
Enjoy this excerpt from one of my favorite collections "Parables of a Country Parson" by William E. Barton (written circa 1920).

Rising Above the Clouds

I rode upon a railway train; and we were in the Rocky Mountains. And we awoke in the morning, and the Train was climbing, with two Engines pulling us, and one pushing behind. And we were nigh unto Twelve Furlongs above the sea.
And it came to pass as we ascended, that there were clouds below us, and Clouds upon the sides of Mountains, but there were no Clouds above us, but the clear shining of the Morning Sun.
And there came unto me a small Girl, and her younger Brother, who were riding upon the Train, and we talked about the Clouds. For so did John Ruskin, and Aristophenes, and the little lad was very happy, and he said,
I have never been above the Clouds before.
And his sister was Wordly-wise. And she said, A Cloud ain't nothing but just fog.
And he said, Nay, but this is more. And behold now, how then is a Cloud just under us, and we ride upon the top of it?
And she said, We are on the Rails, just as we always have been; and there can't nobody ride on a cloud.
And the boy said, Jesus can ride upon a Cloud; for I saw a Picture of Him.
And the little girl said, Yes, but that ain't us.

Now the little girl may have been right; but I thought within myself that this world hath too many people who look out on Life through her windows. For they see no sunlit Clouds, but only Fog; and they have little faith in rising above Clouds, but have confidence only in the Rails.
And I do not despise Rails, nor advise people to discard them and ride upon Clouds. Nevertheless, I have seen people rise above Clouds, and live in the sunlight of God. And I have known others who, whenever it is said unto them, Thus have others done, or thus did the good Lord Jesus, make reply, Yes, but that ain't us.
And if it is spoken concerning the House of God, Thus did the Synagogue in Jonesville, and thus it was done by the church in Smithville, they answer, Yes, but that ain't us.
And if be be said, Thou shouldest be a better person; for others have risen above thy Clouds and thine Infirmities, they say, Yes, but that ain't us.
And when it is said, Thus hath the grace of God abounded in other lives, they say, Yes, but that ain't us.
But if it ain't, why ain't it?
For this cause did God dwell in human flesh that we should never count any good thing impossible through the dear Lord Jesus.
For he is our peace, who hath broken down all the middle walks, that we should no longer say, But that ain't us.