When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.”

I have posted the story of the song “It is Well” before and in the face of the tragedy that has unfolded in Texas, it seems inadequate yet relevant to post again.

The images of mud splattered pink and purple sleeping bags on bunks scattered by that evil rush of water reminded me of our beautiful daughters whose lives brought these colors into our home.  I thought of the love and laughter that these colors delivered.  I thought of the expectation for the future that each of these young lives represented to their families and to our family.  I thought of the dreams stopped by that wall of water that so insidiously attacked in the dark of night, without warning and with devastating effect.

Then a video was posted of the surviving girls from that camp that sat peacefully beside that river for 100 years, singing and praising God as they were bused to a location to reunite with their families.  I thought ‘why Adam did you not hold your hand out and fill Eve’s palm with yours, perhaps showing “what we have is enough,” and preventing the fall that has resulted in unimaginable pain and loss?’  I thought, please Lord compel them to rebuild this camp that has delivered You into the hearts of young girls destined to be leaders, wives, mothers and your representatives in this broken World.

I think of the pain for those temporarily left behind.  I choose to believe with all my heart that every one of those beautiful girls achieved Heaven during that flood.  I choose the hope that is Jesus Christ.  I choose the awareness that God loves each of those girls and each of us with a love so much greater than we can comprehend.  I choose the knowledge that the parents and families of those girls will reunite with them one day in Heaven, for eternity.  I choose to believe that those left behind now have a far greater life purpose that is their story of survival and promise of Heaven when their time on earth is finished.  I choose to believe that out of this incomprehensible loss will come thousands who gain Heaven because of how God’s children dealt with the loss on July 4, 2025.

The Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (NIV), is a favorite of many because of God’s promise.  For the families of those lost, it is now their hope.  This verse reflected what would occur 70 years in the future and was held to day to day through the struggle of loss, relocation and subjugation.  For those left behind, the work continues with a greater sense of urgency.  To love and care for the families left behind and the spread the news and truth that is hope, salvation and eternal life that only comes through Jesus Christ.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:1 (NIV)

“It is Well”

“The author, Horatio G. Spafford (1828-1888), was a Presbyterian layman from Chicago. He had established a very successful legal practice as a young businessman and was also a devout Christian. Among his close friends were several evangelists including the famous Dwight L. Moody, also from Chicago. 

Spafford’s fortune evaporated in the wake of the great Chicago Fire of 1871. Having invested heavily in real estate along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, he lost everything overnight. In a saga reminiscent of Job, his son died a short time before his financial disaster. But the worst was yet to come. 

Hymnologist Kenneth Osbeck tells the story: “Desiring a rest for his wife and four daughters as well as wishing to join and assist Moody and [his musician Ira] Sankey in one of their campaigns in Great Britain, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in 1873. In November of that year, due to unexpected last-minute business developments, he had to remain in Chicago, but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre. He expected to follow in a few days.

“On November 22 the ship was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel, and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later the survivors were finally landed at Cardiff, Wales, and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, ‘Saved alone.’” 

Spafford left immediately to join his wife. This hymn is said to have been penned as he approached the area of the ocean thought to be where the ship carrying his daughters had sunk. 

Another daughter, Bertha, was born in 1878 as well as a son, Horatio, in 1880, though he later died of scarlet fever. After the birth of daughter Grace in 1881, Spafford and his wife moved to Jerusalem out of a deep interest in the Holy Land. There they established the American Colony, a Christian utopian society engaged in philanthropic activities among Jews, Muslims and Christians. 

After decades of benevolent activities, the Colony ceased to be a communal society in the 1950s, though it continued in a second life as the American Colony Hotel, the first home of the talks between Palestine and Israel that eventually led to the 1983 Oslo Peace Accords.”

I”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!” It is well with my soul!

It is well, it is well with my soul!

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

  Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath 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 His Cross, and I bear it no more;

  Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live;

  If dark hours about me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

  Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.”

Father in Heaven, hold those close whose loved ones have gained Heaven.