Depending on your level of familiarity with old hymns, you may or may not recognize the words on my sign as the title (and 'thesis,' if you will) of one of my top 5 favorite hymns (don't make me make that list. It would kill me. It would have at least 20 in it.). For some reason, although I haven't heard the song in years, the lyrics have been stuck in my head for days. I think it's because it's a truth that I need to remember and call to mind frequently. So I wrote it out-- loud and proud-- to hang on the wall, so I'll always be reminded.
My life isn't going the way I had planned.
It is well with my soul.
I want to be a mommy.
It is well with my soul.
It isn't fair that I have to have surgery.
It is well with my soul.
Sixteen year old kids get knocked up without even trying.
It is well with my soul.
It is so, so, so hard to hold on to hope for this long.
It is well with my soul.
There's too much suffering in this world. That doesn't seem right.
It is well with my soul.
There are orphans desperate for families. There are families desperate for children. Why must it be so complicated to put two and two together?
It is well with my soul.
Life is really hard and I just don't think I'm strong enough.
It is well with my soul.
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.
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.
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!
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.
(Words: Spafford, 1873; Music: Bliss, 1876)
Good song, good post :)
ReplyDeleteI've always loved this hymn too. It took on new depth when I learned a bit more about Spafford. He was a business owner in Chicago I think it was who lost everything in a fire. He packed up his wife and two daughters and sent them on ahead of him back to England. The ship they were on sank. He lost everything, including his wife and two children, and he penned this song in response. Gives a whole new depth of meaning to "when sorrows like sea billows roll". Thanks for sharing and reminding me of this song.
ReplyDeleteNothing like a good hymn to soothe the soul. I often find the ones stuck in my head, are the ones I need to hear the most at that moment.
ReplyDeleteI also love this hymn. And the story behind it makes it even more meaningful. If you look at the link I pasted below it tells that Spafford had a son who died of scarlet fever when he was four and four daughters who died when the ship sank. His wife alone survived. And the hymn is based on 2 Kings 4:26 which I never knew. http://www.biblestudycharts.com/A_Daily_Hymn.html
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites. I remember choking out the words, "It is well with my soul" with our loss of Annalise. With Isaiah's scare at 14 weeks, "Your will be done" is what I choked out between sobs.
ReplyDeleteKeep clinging to Him.
This is going to be my next tattoo, I'm pretty sure.
ReplyDeleteWe are waiting...waiting...
It is well with my soul.
Thanks for sharing! I was going to get online and whine about all that isn't right...but now I think I'll just be grateful for what IS right!
ReplyDeleteAnd maybe just copy your art project!
Wow. That is a powerful hymn. The whole song is just beautiful. I'm glad you made that awesome painting to remind you:)
ReplyDeleteP.S. You are totally crafty!
Oh this is beautiful: beautiful hymn, beautiful painting, beautiful post, beautiful truth. Definitely worth speaking out and remembering often.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
One of my faves, too. Makes me cry every time, regardless of my current "hapless estate." Lately, I've found that every time I'm crying and losing hope, the Fish plays "Blessed be the Name of the Lord." I find it no accident, hard though it may be to bless His name through thick and thin, but it is what we are called to do and we end up finding our strength through the very act of proclaiming "blessed is Your name." *hugs*
ReplyDeleteThanks- love this hymn and needed this reminder!!
ReplyDeleteI sing this song to myself all the time. We sang it all the time during chapel in college. It brings so much peace to me.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, your blog brings much encouragement to me and I'm sure so many others. Thanks for your honesty, friend.