It Is Well with My Soul

While writing yesterday, I was once again reminded of the hymn, It is Well with My Soul, and why it was written.

I read the story years ago and it stuck with me.

Horatio Spafford was a prominent businessman in Chicago in the late 1800s. He and his wife, Anna, were devout Christians and parents to five children, four girls and one boy.

In 1870, their only son died at just four years old from scarlet fever.

A year later, the Great Chicago Fire consumed much of the city, including the Spaffords investments. It was financial ruin.

In 1873, thinking a change of scenery would help, Horatio booked a trip to Europe for his family.

But at the last minute, business delayed him so he sent his wife and 4 daughters ahead, hoping to join them soon.

The ship collided with another ship in the Atlantic and sank in just 12 minutes.

All four daughters drowned and Anna survived, found floating unconscious on a piece of wreckage, later sending a telegram to her husband that read,

"Saved alone. What shall I do?"

Horatio boarded the next ship to join Anna. As he crossed the ocean, the captain pointed out the approximate location where his daughters had died.

It was there, in the middle of grief and ocean that he wrote the song

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.

He chose to worship. How many of us could do the same? I sure hope I could. How can you not blame God or think you were cursed? Five children dead. All of them. Your livelihood is gone. How do you come back from that?

And yet, history is full of stories of people who did.

Corrie Ten Boom. Victor Frankl. Joni Eareckson Tada.

So many more,whose names we may never know.

Horatio and Anna went on to have three more children, sadly losing one in infancy. Eventually they moved to Jerusalem and became heavily involved in ministry, helping the poor and needy. Jews, Muslims and Christians.

The Spafford Children's Center in East Jerusalem, founded by their daughter, continues to this day.

---

Basil loves his mama

spotted in a parking lot