PICTURE OF THE PAST
Vista del Pasado
by
Mary Hunt Webb
Posted Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Although this is the restoration of a 1,000-year-old earth lodge, it still gives the idea of a dwelling encased in sod for protection and survival. [Source: National Park Service, U.S. government.]
During a visit to Mr. and Mrs. K., some friends that owned a large farm, they led my mother and me down toward the river that bordered their property. Along the way, Mr. K. pointed to a huge depression in the land that had an opening on one side that was wide enough to accommodate a door.
Our farmer-friend explained, "That was a dugout - an underground home. Early settlers dug their homes out of the earth, created walls inside, and put boards across the top for a roof. They left a small opening on top for a chimney and a larger one for the door. They shoveled sod onto the boards and let grass grow across them so that it was difficult to see that it was a home."
"Do you mean that there was grass growing on the roof?" I asked.
"Sure! If a wild animal smelled food cooking, it was difficult for him to get in and get at the food because there wasn't much of an opening. Living underground with a sod roof over their home protected them from wind, hail, and snow, as well as wild animals. Their home was cool in summer and warm in winter. They were not far from the river here so that they didn't have far to walk in order to get water."
Although the roof of this dugout is exposed, it comes nearest to the description of the dugout that Mr. K. described. This type of dugout was common on the flat plains of Kansas because there were few trees to provide the wood that was needed for building a home. [Source: Kansas State Historical Society.]
I tried to imagine a family living underground with no windows and little ventilation. When the door was closed, the only illumination would have come from candles, the fireplace, or from oil lamps.
It would have been easy for such a family living underground to worry about the weather, their crops, wild animals, and their survival, but the first eight verses of Psalm 37 advise three times against worrying: "1) Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, 2) for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. 3) Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. 4) Take delight in the LORD<, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5) Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 6) He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday. 7) Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. 8) Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil." (NIV)
Although that passage speaks of worrying about wicked people, it also relates to evil in any form. The advice is to commit our lives to the Lord, to trust Him, to wait patiently for him, and not to worry or fret applies to daily living.
We may think that the problems that we encounter today exceed any that past generations have faced. However, few of us experience such fear that we must live underground in order to avoid the torment of wild animals and violent weather.
Verse nine of that chapter tells of the reward of those that don't fret: "9) For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land." (NIV) That means that the thing we desire most – land, career opportunity, a mate, a child, or some other goal – comes when we commit our goals and needs to the Lord and then wait patiently for Him to provide. It may not come when we think it should, but it will come.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for keeping my thoughts focused on the goal You have given me, even when I can't see any progress toward it. Please strengthen my patience as I wait for Your response to my prayers and needs. I pray this in the name of Jesus, amen.
BIBLE VERSES USED IN THIS POSTING
Psalm 37:1-9 — 1) Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, 2) for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. 3) Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. 4) Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5) Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. 6) He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday. 7) Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. 8) Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret — it leads only to evil. 9) For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. (NIV)
Salmos 37:1-9 — 1) No te impacientes a causa de los malignos, Ni tengas envidia de los que hacen iniquidad. 2) Porque como hierba serán pronto cortados, Y como la hierba verde se secarán. 3) Confía en Jehová, y haz el bien; Y habitarás en la tierra, y te apacentarás de la verdad. 4) Deléitate asimismo en Jehová, Y él te concederá las peticionies de tu corazón. 5) Encomienda a Jehová tu camino, Y confía en él; y él hará. 6) Exhibirá tu justicia como la luz, Y tu derecho como el mediodía. 7) Guarda silencio ante Jehová, y espera en él. No te alteres con motivo del que prospera en su camino, Por el hombre que hace maldades. 8) Deja la ira, y desecha el enojo; No te excites en manera alguna a hacer lo malo. 9) Porque los malignos serán destruidos, Pero los que esperan en Jehová, ellos heredarán la tierra. (Reina-Valera 1960
Eight people, including one infant, lived in this underground dwelling on the treeless Kansas plain. A stovepipe permitted ventilation from cooking. The china cabinet served as both a cupboard and a room divider so as to create a make-shift bedroom behind it. When we become anxious about our circumstances now, we can be thankful that we live in better conditions than the early settlers did. [Source: Kansas State Historical Society.]
