It is WELL with my Soul

It is Well With My Soul courtesy of emrick123

In church today, a visiting Pastor from Indonesia (Ps Marganti Sihite) told us the story of Horatio G Stafford at the end of his sermon.

Horatio, a prosperous lawyer & devout Presbyterian church elder in 1870s was the man who penned the hymn "It is well with my soul".

I've heard of the heart wrenching stories behind some hymns. However, the story behind this one actually reminded me of a biblical character: Job.

This man lost his massive investment properties in a huge fire, then a planned holiday in Europe with his family, turned into a tragedy when the ship his wife & 4 daughters were in met with an accident & sank. (He was delayed for business reasons)

His wife survived, but his daughters drowned.

"After receiving Anna's telegram, Horatio immediately left Chicago to bring his wife home. On the Atlantic crossing, the captain of his ship called Horatio to his cabin to tell him that they were passing over the spot where his four daughters had perished. He wrote to Rachel, his wife's half-sister, "On Thursday last we passed over the spot where she went down, in mid-ocean, the waters three miles deep. But I do not think of our dear ones there. They are safe, folded, the dear lambs." "It Is Well with My Soul" Horatio wrote this hymn, still sung today, as he passed over their watery grave." I cant imagine what the most of us would have turned to in the face of such suffering. Most would have "broken apart" literally, or hardened our hearts, turned bitter, & blamed God. As in the words of Job: Job 1:21 (New International Version) 21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." May us always count our blessings daily for EVERY good thing that God has blessed us with. Treasure & love the people around us, & be able to release everything back to God should the time comes for him to take back when he so choses. Believing in the faithfulness of a loving Father who always wants the best for us. May the name of the Lord be praised!