Often I find that when I need a little bit of time with God, I’ll drive down the backroads early in the morning. The subtle roads seem to bring about unexplainable peace for me. And the sunlight hitting the never ending fields seem to be God himself saying,” Go ahead, think a little. I’ve got all the time in the world for you.”
One morning in particular, I had a little extra time, so I chose to go on such a drive. The roads easily curved back and forth and the horses were already out enjoying God’s morning. As I thoughtfully drove, I noticed a familiar broken down building that I always pass in a hurry. Signs were displayed for reading in case people wanted to stop. Usually, I’m too rushed to stop but today I had found myself with more than enough time.
I asked my son, ”Hey let’s stop here and see what it is.”
“Yah momma,” he said eager and curious to go on an adventure.
There were no actual places to park so I “made” a parking spot, pulling off the road and hearing sticks scratch the bottom of my minivan. Oops! One of these days a vehicle that sits taller would be nice.
We quickly learned that this steam mill was part of HISTORY! On March 1, 1864 Colonel Ulric Dahlgren and 500 Union cavalrymen burned this mill and other buildings as they approached Richmond. Their mission was to set 13,000 Union Prisoners of War free on Belle Isle and Libby prison. Other secret orders were to burn Richmond and assassinate the Confederate President Jefferson Davis. However, their mission didn’t go quite as planned as they were forced to retreat and Colonel Dalhgren was killed.
AMAZING, To stumble upon such important yet forgotten history! Richmond has so much history that we never stop to notice! We get so busy with our own lives that often we easily forget how far our society has come. It was good to stop and appreciate what once was a beautiful building. I couldn't help but look at this decaying mill and admire that it’s still standing. If only broken walls could talk, right? What advice would they give us today? I imagine the advice would be something along the lines of,”Although humans tried to destroy, our foundation was firm and so the sun will go on rising and setting and we still stand tall.”
As my son ran back to the van, not really understanding the significance of the place we stood, I was reminded of an important life lesson. Anger, power, jealousy, greed, slander, filthy talk are all human sins that hurt. But if my foundation is firm, believing in the One who commands us to be kind and loving to our neighbors, then nothing can destroy me. The sun will go on rising and setting and I will still stand tall.
Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31
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