10.29.2009

it is well





picture:  pond in front of my childhood home
We are home in Louisiana!
What bliss, what warmth, what sweltering heat!
I will save you the details of our long 26 hour trip with three young uns through driving rain, sleet, and snow.
I am sure your imagination will be more than sufficient.

The first thing I did once we got home was schedule my doctor's appointment.
Worry started to creep in and I had to continually give my fears to the only One who could give me peace.  At the back of my mind, I kept thinking "what ifs".  What if... God decided to take this baby home to be with Him too?  What if... something was wrong and that was why I couldn't feel the baby move?  I realized I had to choose to lay it at Jesus' feet.  I had to choose to trust Him no matter what the outcome would be.

That's when my friend Lisa told me the powerful story behind the well known hymn "It is Well With My Soul".  The author, Horatio Spafford, wrote this hymn after he experienced great personal tragedy and loss.  His wife and his four daughters were involved in an accident at sea and his wife was the only survivor.  I can't imagine the pain and sorrow this couple felt after losing all of their children in such a violent way.  The story is told, though, that in the midst of her despair, Horatio's wife heard God tell her she was spared for a purpose.  It was in that moment she remembered the wise counsel of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God." (go here for the story)  Later, Horatio visited the watery grave of his daughters and wrote this hymn as his ship sailed by.

It is Well With My Soul

  1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
    When sorrows like sea billows roll;
    Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

  2. It is well, it is well, with my soul.

    It is well, with my soul,
    Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
    Let this blest assurance control,
    That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
    And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

  3. 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!
  4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
    If Jordan above me shall roll,
    No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
    Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
  5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
    The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
    Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
    Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
  6. And Lord, haste the day when my 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.


He chose to praise God no matter what.
Oh Lord, give me faith like that!
To fix my eyes on You, Lord, and know that all is well with my soul.

13 comments:

crittyjoy said...

So glad you are home safely. Praying for you!

I remember hearing that story on Adventures in Odyssey a long time ago and it blessed me and challenged me tremendously.

In the midst of everything will I still chose to say...it is well with my soul.

Thanks for the reminder!

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

Such a beautiful story and an ABSOLUTELY STUNNING photograph.

Kristin said...

Glad you all made it home safely :)

Love ya!
Kristin

Kelly said...

Glad you made it home! I love that song and the story! I'm praying for you.

Veronica said...

Hi Joye! Thanks for the comment earlier. It's good to hear from you. I have been thinking about you and wondering how you've been. When exactly are you due? I'm expecting again and I'm almost 15 weeks along.

I will for sure be keeping you and baby in my prayers!

P.S. The picture is beautiful!

Holly said...

I hate the plague of what ifs. That is one of my fav hymns. Thank you for sharing it with us today!!

Darcie said...

You return to a very beautiful place...your childhood home. I return to Montana and people always say..."why did you leave?" I have lived in 5 different states, but the amazing thing is I see God's beauty in each of them. They are all different...yet beautiful.

Thanks for the reminder in your post today...I fear sometimes this is just what I am...a fair-weather friend. I have much work to do in that department.

Lauren said...

Glad you had a wonderful trip and I will be praying for your appointment. I know all about fears in pregnancy - and so does God! He will carry you through any experience He gives... but I sure am praying that all is well with your precious baby! You are an amazing person and I know that no matter what it will be well with your soul!

Summer said...

Thinking about you, and keeping you in my prayers, Joye.

Happy Friday and have a wonderful Halloween weekend with the kiddos!

Unknown said...

So glad you are home! I love getting away, but I also love coming home! Thanks for sharing that story, I love that hymn!

Stephanie said...

That is a beautiful story - and I also remember hearing it on Adventures in Odyssey. So glad you are home safe...praying your little one is safe and well too!

Traci Michele said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE that song! ahhhhh, brings peace to my weary soul!

Beautiful picture!

Hugs,
Traci

Lisa Proffit-Rau said...

Joye-I just read this post-- You are sooooo good at the written word. your words made me cry-- thanks for posting this story and making sure that what I told you was correct!-
Lisa

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