It Is Well

I have a friend who is amazing. She gave me a cd a week ago that she thought I might like. Songs just for me and my life. She doesn't know this and she probably wouldn't believe this, but she was the perfect messenger. No hoopla, no big speech, I just found the handmade cd and a homemade card in my mailbox. Words of love, of encouragement, and even of doubt. Beautiful words. I popped the cd in the van promptly and thought nothing of it. That is until the second song came on. I have always loved this song, certain versions more than others, but this version cut right through me. From the first note to the last sound, I sobbed.

Music is powerful. Friends are powerful. God is powerful.

If you've ever heard the hymn, 'It is Well', you may know the story behind it. Until today, I did not. After reading the story, I am even more touched by the traditional lyrics. Here is the story, in my summary:

Horatio Spafford was a wealthy businessman in the late 1800's. During the Chicago Fire, he lost his business and fortune. Around the same time, he lost his one and only son. Trying to recover from these devastating losses that were overtaking his life, he poured himself into his family and rebuilding the fire-torn city. A few years after these losses (I think two years), he sent his wife and four girls across the Atlantic with the promise that he would soon follow. The ship on which they were sailing crashed and sunk. The telegram that he received from his wife stated the gut-wrenching message, 'survived alone'.

After the loss of all five of their children and almost all of their earthly wealth, he began the journey to reunite with his wife. While crossing the ocean around the area where his four girls perished, the words of this song came to him.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

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

There are about five other verses besides this one, one more incredible than the other. I am just in awe that after all this man went through, when he was at the same point of the ocean where his children gasped for their last breath...his heart was at peace.

I have had the honor of being friends with some broken people. Broken people who have peace and beauty even after all they've been through. People who have been abused and neglected. People who have dealt with awful, untimely deaths of loved ones. Sickness. Abandonment and shame. They have horrible, stomach-turning stories and yet, yet...they have found peace.

Not that they are now somehow 'without' their past or free from these things that have shaped them. But somehow, this peace has been the balm to soothe their souls. That part of the soul that one can't hide. That part that even the most convincing smile can't hide. That part that longs to sing, but is still aching and feels freshly wounded when touched. That part.

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say...

It is well, it is well with my soul