It Is Well With My Soul
Good morning to all of you on this sunny March Sunday!
The world right now is in a state of panic and turmoil...fear has taken over the minds and souls of many in these uncertain times of this current pandemic known as Covid19, Coronavirus.
I'm coming to you this morning to be a source of inspiration and comfort and not to scare anyone...we all need comfort and more peace during this time of uncertainty.
Some of you know this and some of you do not, but I am a preacher's daughter...also known as a P.K. ! I am the 7th child of a family with 6 girls and 1 boy. I sincerely love my family...everyone of them is so very special! We all have so many memories growing up, as I'm sure you do too!
From as young as I can remember, my father would preach on Sundays and we all went to church Sundays and Wednesdays, and sometimes even more than that. My dear mother would always have a delicious meal to eat after we got home from church...I still marvel at how she did all this with having so many children! Looking back on those years, I have so many fond memories. One of my favorite memories growing up, and as far back as I can remember, were my parents singing together at home.
I remember my father singing, with
his deep deep bass voice and my mother with her sweet soprano voice,
singing together at the piano and organ. They would sing hymns, and
songs of praise to the Lord. It was always so beautiful and now looking
back, I miss those days so much! Their lovely voices blending together
and always bringing a song of joy to my own heart. There was always music in our home, and probably one of the reasons why still today, I always have music of some kind playing.
My father, who is 88, is still preaching and my mother, who is 85, is still singing and playing the piano (totally by ear). The Sunday I recorded this, my father had just preached and they were over for Sunday dinner with our family. I don't know how long we all have with them and I wanted to make sure our family had this sweet memory for all of us on video, and now I am sharing it with you too.
Many weeks ago, before the Coronovirus became well known, I had the pleasure of videotaping my parents singing the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul." This hymn was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1883.
The story behind this hymn is heartbreaking, touching, but so full of inspiration and hope. it has been a family favorite, especially my father, for many years.
The author of this beautiful hymn, Horatio G. Spafford, who lived from 1828-1888, was a Presbyterian
from Chicago. He had established a very successful legal practice as a
young businessman and was also a devout Christian man. Some of his closest
friends were several evangelists including, Dwight L. Moody.
Spafford lost his fortune in the wake of the great Chicago Fire of
1871. Having invested heavily in real estate along Lake Michigan’s
shoreline, he lost everything overnight. Also, his son died a short time before his financial disaster. But the worst
was yet to come.
Hymnologist Kenneth Osbeck tells the story: “Desiring a rest for his
wife and four daughters as well as wishing to join and assist Moody and
[his musician Ira] Sankey in one of their campaigns in Great Britain,
Spafford planned a European trip for his family in 1873. In November of
that year, due to unexpected last-minute business developments, he had
to remain in Chicago, but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead as
scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre. He expected to follow in a few
days.
“On November 22 the ship was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel,
and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later the survivors were
finally landed at Cardiff, Wales, and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband,
‘Saved alone.’”
Spafford left immediately to join his wife. This hymn is said to have
been written, as he approached the area of the ocean where
the ship carrying his daughters had sunk.
What a story! To know that this man went through all of this pain and devastation but yet had the ability to write this beautiful song of peace, comfort, and the assurance of knowing that even in the hardest times, it can still be well with our soul!
I have attached the words of 3 verses of this sacred hymn below. This hymn is a reminder for all of us, that we can still have peace and comfort in the Lord, even in trials, tribulations, and uncertain times. My prayer is that this beautiful hymn fills your heart and spirit today and from this day forth...may it be well with your soul!
Many prayers of blessings, health, and peace to all of you!
It Is Well With My Soul
by Horatio G. Spafford
1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, It is well with my soul
2. 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
3. And, Lord, haste the day when the 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
Chorus
Is it well, it is well....with my soul, with my soul...it is well, it is well, with my soul
