Pastor Mark at church shared this story on Sunday morning. The story resonated with me for a couple of reasons. One reason is because I write songs. I want to know what inspired a person to write a particular song. What was going on in their life? The second reason is I love to see how God works in peoples lives. I look at my life as a story that is being written each day. I can grab the crayons and make the ugliest picture you have ever seen or maybe with God's directions it can be a pretty picture.
Horatio Spafford was a lawyer from Chicago. He lived in the 1800's and was a successful businessman. Horatio had his share of problems. Horatio had a son that died. A couple years later he lost a significant part of his wealth when the Great Chicago fires destroyed his properties. If this was not bad enough he wanted to take his family on vacation. The plan was for the whole family to go to England on vacation. He had to finish up some business so he sent his wife and four daughter's ahead on a boat. The boat was in a collision with another boat and his four daughter's were killed. Only his wife survived. Can you imagine the grief of losing not just one child but all five of your children? How do you deal with the grief? Here are the lyrics to the first verse and the refrain.
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.
Horatio Spafford was a lawyer from Chicago. He lived in the 1800's and was a successful businessman. Horatio had his share of problems. Horatio had a son that died. A couple years later he lost a significant part of his wealth when the Great Chicago fires destroyed his properties. If this was not bad enough he wanted to take his family on vacation. The plan was for the whole family to go to England on vacation. He had to finish up some business so he sent his wife and four daughter's ahead on a boat. The boat was in a collision with another boat and his four daughter's were killed. Only his wife survived. Can you imagine the grief of losing not just one child but all five of your children? How do you deal with the grief? Here are the lyrics to the first verse and the refrain.
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.