It Is Well

Horatio Spafford, the author of 'It Is Well With My Soul', penned the iconic words of that beloved hymn after profound loss in his life. His first loss in 1871 occurred when the great fire in Chicago raged through his business, taking with it his livelihood. His son succumbed to scarlett fever around the same time, and shortly after that, tragedy struck again. Spafford sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him on vacation when the vessel they were travelling on collided with another ship. All four of his daughters died; only his wife was saved. 'It Is Well' was birthed out of that tragedy and pain. Upon hearing the news of this intense heartbreak, he headed across the ocean to meet his wife. As he was sailing over the exact spot where his daughters died, he wrote that ageless hymn. "Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say it is well, it is well with my soul. "

As I get older, I have come to realize that some of the most powerful moments come out of the most painful moments. I can look back and see the times that I experienced pain in my life, and I see the beauty in the brokenness. The Lord was always there. He did not leave me or forsake me. And He always brought me through.

Today was a day that I was dreading. I was thinking about that man sailing over the place where his daughters perished as I walked into the church. I know our situation is completely different. But I also know that walking into the church without Mom was going to be harder in a way than walking into the house without Mom. The church was Mom's domain. She loved it. Dad and Mom both started the church 30 years ago. They poured so much of their time, energy and love into our church. They practically lived there these past 30 years. I knew it was going to be hard having our first church services without her.

I was not sure how to start off our worship today, but this morning I knew that we had to begin with 'It Is Well'. Just like the author of the hymn, we were purposefully making a statement that no matter what comes our way, we were going to declare that it is well with our souls!

The front row was noticeably empty of her presence. She was no longer welcoming people, walking around the church, smiling, chatting, making sure everything was going smoothly. We sensed and felt her absence today. It just didn't seem the same without her. Yet, the Lord was with us. He was gracious to meet us in our hurt and we felt His presence during our services. Although it was one of the hardest things for Dad to do, he spoke a powerful word about finishing the race. Mom would have been proud!

Our evening service was dedicated as a celebration of Mom's life. As a church family, we shared with one another how she touched and impacted our lives. It was such a touching and powerful time. It was healing for me, and I believe something that our church needed.

It has been a long and tiring day. Many tears were shed. Many hugs and kind words were shared. I am so thankful for our church family. This is been a shock on all of us, and I know that we will get through this as a family together.

Although I am tired tonight, weary, and a little sad, I am truly thankful that Jesus is with me...carrying me when I have no strength to stand on my own. His peace that passes all understanding has been my anchor as I am tossed about by the waves of this storm. And through it all I can truly say that it is well with my soul.