You might notice that a wonderful bird built a nest in my mop...might make you wonder how often I use it! Don't know what kind of bird but the hole she left is perfectly round! Glad to have provided a place of safety for our friends.
Spring is certainly springing...our MS women still in the fight as this goes to press. I was recently praying about journeys...how we journey through seasons and seasons of the heart. Some journeys are pleasant enough, easy travel, easy access to food and lodging but some are painful and never seem to end. Do you remember the story about the Choctaw's Trail of Tears?
Many of us seemed to have been forced to make difficult transitions, but our friends, the Choctaw nation made a very difficult journey. Not unlike immigrants forced by brutal circumstances to move about being afraid all the time. The native peoples of the Choctaw nation were forced from MS to OK. The removal began in 1831.
They were moved out in three groups, the USA wanting to be most generous to the first group so all the others would leave as well. Things, however, happened and too many agencies were involved and contradictory orders were given. For example, supplies were supposed to be purchased locally, so local traders exploited the people and jacked the prices up 2-300%. There was unexpected bad weather which combined with the disorganization led to a bad experience for the first group. To their credit some government agents tried to do their best but they were running way over budget and got into trouble.
An ARKANSAS GAZETTE reporter interviewed the Chief (either Thomas Harkins or Nitikechi) who was quoted as saying the Choctaw removal was a 'trail of tears and death'. This was later picked up by the eastern press and later was associated with the brutal removal of Cherokee in 1838.
The 1832 group had a better start but was struck by cholera. The government saved millions of dollars by making the Indians walk, but cost them their lives and strength. The third and last formal group was in 1833. Many Choctaws refused to leave. It was estimated there were 19,554 Choctaw before the removal and 12,500 moved to 'Indian territory'; 2,500 died along the way and 5-6,000 remained in MS. Most of those were forced to move later in the century but enough remained to form the officially recognized (in 1945) MS Band.
The land they were removed to was not as good as the land they left; not as fertile and there was less timber and water and game was not as plentiful. Soon, however, they turned a profit successfully farming their new land.
Those who remained entered the treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek where they were told that within six months they must register. The agent, William Ward, not partial to Indians made himself scarce and they were not able to register. An investigation in 1838 found overwhelming frauds and several cases were launched into both 19th & 20th centuries. Settlers, however, still tried to get them to sign over their lands. Most were not coerced.
Journeys can be brutal and the journey of Holy Week is no different for Jesus and His friends. Innocent, executed. If we are patient, however, good prevails. Like the little birds in my mop we need places of safety along the way. Let's encourage one another and walk together, as did the teens and millions, for the things that matter. EASTER BLESSINGS.
