So the last shall be first…
~New Testament Book of Matthew; chapter 20, verse 16
In the late 1800’s, millions of people pushed their way west in search of new lives and greater prosperity. Largely dependent on an individual’s social connections and financial status, priority in securing passage on a westbound train was reserved only for the most well-to-do citizens. For the rest, it meant waiting months–and sometimes even years–before getting the opportunity to depart for greener pastures.
Having finally secured a place on the list, people of modest means eagerly and excitedly endured a grueling cross country journey that sometimes lasted for weeks. Upon arriving, many were confronted with the harsh reality that most of the opportunity was already long gone.
But, in a delightfully ironic reversal of fortunes, there were some resolute souls who, having been kept off the list for years, arrived to find that their homes had already been built for them. It seems that many of the rich speculators underestimated how hard the work would be and had thrown in the towel. In these rare but wonderful moments, late arriving families stepped into homes that had already been built and homesteads that had already been settled for them.
The last shall be first indeed.
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