Recently I watched sadly as three hundred years of history was struck down with an excavator, hammer and crowbar, the rest was burned until absolutely nothing was left to tell the stories of yesteryear.
This house was built in the 1700’s. Now what was happening during that time?
Let’s take a look:
The British and Spanish were battling it out over territories
There were wars between the French and the Indians
The United Kingdom was formed and Britain started to expand the British Empire throughout the world
Alaska was discovered by Europeans
Hawaii was discovered by Europeans
Australia was discovered by Europeans
James Watt discovers the steam engine. Joseph Priestly and Daniel Rutherford independently discover nitrogen.
The American Revolution against Britain occurred.
The French Revolution occurs, ending in the execution of the king and queen and thousands of others.
This was an amazing era of discovery and change. On Capeville Drive, Virginia, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a house was built: A two story, home of above moderate size and appearance for the period. I don’t know who built it or even the history of the area other than there were substantial cotton plantations in that period in that area. You can imagine the owner building a lovely home for his burgeoning family, filled with dreams and aspirations for their future in this brand new country.
It survived a civil war, surrounded by fields that you can easily imagine saw incredible pain and deaths.
It was bemused as modernization came and tractors replaced horse driven plows.
It continued to watch as its young men marched off to two world wars, and other wars in far off countries.
It observed in silence as its country faced civil unrest. It stood in awe as man walked on the moon and more space exploration took and amazing discoveries in science.
And then, it was left to decay. Families died or were dispersed. Pickers came and took whatever they could take to break up and sell. People took no notice as the large trees, and vines encroached and left it struggling to stand.
Then one day a few weeks ago, three hundred years toppled to the ground. We took what we could of any remaining good timbers to re-purpose in another old beauty, but the rest was shoveled up or burned along with the 200 year old pecan trees standing guard over history. It was a confronting sight. All because the owner, a farmer of crops needed to have an unobstructed path for his free-roaming irrigation system!
It had served its purpose and the foundations had long since become hazardous but she was still a magnificent lady who had endured so much! It felt like she deserved better.
But that is the end of all things in this world – decay, corrosion, and decline. King Solomon said it well that despite all of his wealth and wisdom everything is vanity because no matter what we amass the end result is we leave it to someone else. We can’t take it with us and ultimately it will all decay. It made me think of the importance of leaving a truly lasting legacy! An eternal legacy!
Jesus says don’t lay up for yourself treasures on earth for that reason, but lay up for yourself treasures in heaven. What are those treasures? He is our treasure! Set our hope on the living God. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Let’s pursue with diligence and energy the eternal things of life.
Until next time
Blessings Narelle `
Green Peas and Other Green Stuff 