Castles in the Air

"I will build a castle for you, my love..." doesn't it sound like a dream? A beautiful princess to save, a strong knight rescuer, and finally the happily ever after... in a castle of course! A dream, a fairy tale, yet the reality for this Camelot didn't end so happily.

George Boldt started out as a dishwasher in NYC, and ended up a multimillionaire. Many may dream of building a castle for their love, yet Boldt not only dreamed, he had the resources and capital to do so. He purchased Hart Island, and changed the name to Heart Island, actually reconstructing the island in the shape of a heart. The heart theme was continued in the stonework of the castle, the family crest, and various places around the estate. The heart symbols were appropriate, as a proclamation to the love of a knight for his princess.

And so he built for her a castle on Heart Island...

Millions of dollars, hundreds of workers, boatloads of supplies, and in 1904 the castle was nearly complete... when the word came that Louise Boldt was dead. The workers were ordered to drop their tools and leave, unfinished, not to return. And it is said that George Boldt never set foot on Heart Island again.

All the effort and money he had put into his castle meant nothing without his love to share it. The castle was left to itself... showing how little wealth means without love. Earthly treasure can never satisfy.


"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
-Matthew 20-21

No earthly treasure compares to the heavenly abundance He has for us. Those who give up wealth, home, recognition, and all earthly "treasure" will count it as nothing once their eternal destination is reached.

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." -Philippians 3:8

"He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward." -Hebrews 11:26

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." - 1 Corinthians 2:9

Those of us who are redeemed have treasure in heaven beyond all imagination... with our first Treasure being our Savior.

George Boldt's treasure wasn't his castle... his wife was of far greater value to him. None of his earthly treasure could compare to her who was now a part of his treasure in heaven.

I hope they are in heaven together.

Giving Back to Him...

"Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers.
Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.
O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided
for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand,
and all of it belongs to you.
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.
All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent.
And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you."
-1 Chronicles 29:13-18

This prayer of David is so beautiful! "...we have given You only what comes from Your hand." How true this is! We are called to glorify God in all we do, yet He is glorious beyond our comprehension. Our praise cannot elevate Him any farther than He is, yet we give back to Him the glory that He already possesses.
Just like our lives, which we give back to Him. Just like our crowns, which we shall finally cast at His feet.

"But everything comes from God." -1 Corinthians 11:12b

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." -Revelation 4:11

Everything we give to God He has first given to us. We are called to constantly magnify Him and bring Him glory, yet He is ever magnificent and glorious. And the love we give to Him is in response to His love - for He loved us first.