Sunday, March 3, 2013

It Is Well with My Soul.





I am not sure if you have ever heard the hymn, "It Is Well with My Soul," but it has been playing in my head, on repeat, today.  A gentle reminder that no matter what life throws at us, God is on our side.  He is for us, so who can be against us.  He has a plan.  He will never let us go.

The backstory of the hymn is fascinating and tragic.  The hymnist had been through, frankly, a whole hell of a lot.  Read a short snippet of his life:

This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871 at the age of four, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago which was decimated by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873 at which time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone . . .". Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.

I can't even imagine what it would be like to go through all of that.  I've had to remind myself of this song a lot this weekend, as I have had many sad moments.  I had a great weekend with many, many wonderful friends.  A great spa night and a beautiful wedding/reunion with several of my sorority sisters and best friends.  But I just freaking miss my boyfriend so much.  Some days the hole in my heart aches more than other days.  I suppose all of this fun I've been having has just made me wish, even more, that he was here so that I could share it with him. 

Grateful for the fantastic people in my life and the opportunities I've been given.

I miss my boyfriend quite a bit, but this was the Lord's plan, so though I will continue to grieve, I will also continue to say that it is well with my soul.



It Is Well With My Soul
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford

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