21st day of Lent

I officiated at a funeral on Wednesday and shared the story behind the hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul.” What a story! A man and wife lose a son. The man, Horatio Spafford, then has great financial loss in the Great Fire of Chicago in 1871. Horatio decided that his family needed a vacation together. He sends his wife and four daughters ahead of him to England on the SS Ville du Havre. The family loved Dwight L. Moody and heard he would be preaching an evangelistic series of services that fall in London. But tragedy once again struck when there was a collision at sea with another vessel. Horatio’s wife survived, but all four daughters were lost at sea.

Later, Horatio would sail to the spot of the tragedy, and he would pen the words, “When sorrows like sea billows roll…it is well with my soul.” And this great hymn was born.

I just don’t know how some people survive the tragedies of this life. I can’t imagine losing one child much less five. All I can say is that the presence and power of God is great - greater than anything that can come my way. It has to be. If it wasn’t, how could anyone survive tragedy? Thanks, God, for your real and sustaining presence each and every day. And thanks, especially, for the moments in life when we need you most - you are always there - Emmanuel!