It Is Well With My Soul

I know, I know! If you're reading this blog the last thing you want from me is a history lesson. But, I believe you'll find this true story, captivating to say the least. I've heard it several times here and there, and I've yet to find another story so moving. I've even gone as far as framing the Lyrics to this song to hang on my bedroom wall. After hearing the history behind it, I've fallen in love with every word, I hope you will too!

H.G. Spafford, or Horatio Spafford, a dear friend of D.L. Moody, experienced several emotional events that led up to the song he penned as 'It is Well With My Soul'. First his son was taken by scarlet fever, and only a year later their family witnessed devastation by the great Chicago fire. Aware of the burdens his family were bearing during the early 1870's, him, his wife, and daughters would take a holiday trip to England, and they would join D.L. Moody and his evangelistic campaigns that was spreading throughout Britain. When they were about to board the 'Ville de Havre', Spafford was called away on business and told his wife and girls he would meet with them in England at a later date. Only nine days later Spafford received a telegram from his beloved wife with only these words:"Saved alone."

It just so happens that a few days earlier their ship had collided with another, sinking in 12 minutes with very few survivors...One of which was Anna Spafford. When Mrs. Spafford had regained consciousness she remembered these words that had once been spoken to her: "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."

Horatio quickly boarded a ship and made his way across the Atlantic to meet his wife. At one point the captain of the ship had told Spafford, that they were crossing the water which now held four of his daughters along with the wrecked ship. Spafford returned to his cabin and recalled II Kings 4:26, where the Shunnamite woman loses her only child. Yet she responds with 'It is well'. Spafford does the same, as he begins to write the opening lines of this song.

Philip P. Bliss was a music composer and was so taken back by the story of the Spafford family, and the lyrics, that he decided to compose the music for 'It Is Well With My Soul.' After the music was composed, Bliss and his wife boarded a train, that would lead them to their death. In the midst of the train wreck and fire lay Philip's wife, although she told him to leave her, he stayed at her side until the flames consumed them both. But, they glorified the Lord, by singing these words...

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.

Refrain:
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 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!

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.

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.

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.

Later, the cart that held Bliss's trunk arrived in Chicago. Inside they found the last song that he had written before his death. The page read: "I know not what awaits me. God kindly veils my eyes..."

It is inspiring to see the way these men and women led their lives, or better yet, let God lead their lives. They were truly devoted to their savior. Though their tragic ends may be difficult to understand, they still claimed the peace of God, that many people do not know. Refer back to the fourth stanza.

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.

In death, just as in life, the Lord reveals HIS peace to us. To think, what it would be like to be so engulfed in the love of God, that no matter what hard times overwhelm us, we can still have the strength to say 'It is well with my soul'.

Trust: We Make it Harder Than it is

Well, when I was younger I would hear about teenagers trying to figure out who they are, find where they belong, or realize who they want to become. This always left my with the big question; What does that mean!?!

When I was five, I wanted to be a teacher so I could put the sunshine on the weather chart, and I would be a famous artist on the side. I had no reasonable definition for what money was, or college, or church for that matter. I just thought you had money all the time, college was free if you made all A's, and everyone went to church! Opportunities were limitless. I wasn't worried about a husband. I believed that once you turned twenty *poof* your husband appears right in front of you! I had no worries about the future, and although I didn't truly know God, I still knew that no matter what...he would always take care of me. It seems that somehow, I've grown up, and I'm not so sure where my trust has gone.

Here I am 13 years later, and I've experienced my own storms, and I've witnessed the heartaches of others. Amazingly, every time God has pulled me through. Yet, sometimes I still try to stand on my own, turning to face the Lord only when I'm too afraid to look in the other direction. This is where I'm at now. Everything is coming at me so fast! I'm about to graduate highschool, college isn't far away, and the outside world is eager to pull at me. Needless to say, I'm terrified. It seems that for so long I have had chance after chance to establish myself as a godly young lady. No matter what others believe, I know my own heart, and I know that I am far from being the woman I want to be. I'm miles from that mark, and at the same time, so many changes in my life are taking place. So, I, Lacey Hemphill am about to face the rest of the world (The one I am in a continual battle with), and I still feel so...breakable. It doesn't help that I'm dependent on God one second, and then the next: 'I can handle it!!'

But, I know that God IS in control...whether I trust him or not. Which, when you think about it, it's SO much nicer to believe it's in his hands instead of my own. Sometimes I forget about how omnipotent the Lord truly is!!

'And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:' - II Corinthians 9. Here, the inspired word of God tells us directly that, YES he does take care of our needs because he is able! We can't fix our complex situations alone, yet we still try to. I'm the worst at this. I use mind over matter in my rocky situations, but in the end, it's God over...everything else!

Just remember...God is able!

Where Have You Been?

Today, I learned something. I know it's crazy huh?! Stubborn headed me actually had an epiphany! But what I learned today wasn't taught to me through reading God's word, or from my pastor, not even from Bro. Timmy my Sunday school teacher, although it could have very easily been. I am proud to say that around 11:10, God spoke to me personally...and I heard every word he had to say.

Since the moment I woke up, it was obvious today was my day to claim the title of 'Miss Moody Pants'. My attitude has been sour, and I guess I've wore that face that says 'don't mess with me.' It's all caused by the little things, but if I had to be honest..the culprit is my tendency to be a big negative Nancy about pretty much everything. I'm a bit of a worrier...ya know...just a smidge? Anyway, I have a very close friend who lives far away, a friend who I never stop worrying about! Well, this friend of mine will text me every morning to tell me 'Good morning, I hope you have a good day' or something along those lines. This morning, the text never came. It's amazing to see how something so simple can ruin your whole day, and boy this did it in for me. First I was upset..'maybe they slept in.' A few hours went by..'I wonder if something's wrong.' A few more hours later..'Don't they know that I'd worry?' These are the same jumbled thoughts I've had floating in my hollow head today..and by 'hollow' I mean empty of every other thought, including God.

I had some things to turn in to Mr. Palmer, so I left lunch early...a full 30 minutes early. I finally got to a place where I was walking all alone, and I decided to pray, and I mean really pray, none of this half hearted 'Lord, help me..okay thanks bye' stuff that I'm so used to. See, I haven't been talking to God like I should, believe it or not but I've went days without praying to him, feeling too full of sin to pray. Hey, I try but I never said I'm the Christian I should be. So I kept my eyes straight ahead and under my breath had a surprising, and enlightening conversation with the man upstairs, and it went a little like this:

Me: Lord, I'm sorry something this little is upsetting me, I know I shouldn't let it bring me down. But, they know I care, so why would they let me worry like this? I would never do this to them, so I don't understand why they won't even send a short update so I know they're okay. How are they going this long without talking to me?

God:...Well, how did you go this long without talking to me?

It might not have been a voice in my head, it was just the sense that God was answering my question with a question. Yes, reverse psychology is a splendid thing...and it spoke to me plain as day, although it didn't leave me with a very happy feeling in the least.

I thought of God being in my shoes, rejected, hurt, worried, and waiting patiently. It doesn't seem right for the love of my life, to wait on me...of all people! Here the needy person that I am complaining to God about being taken for granted, when he's the one being taken for granted. I don't understand how I could have been so blind. A God so perfect, so righteous, waiting for me to show him how much I love him...I can't keep someone that amazing waiting around for me, and I can't lead God on any longer. He was waiting for just the smallest update on my life. He only wanted to know if I was okay, while I've been miles, away spiritually speaking. It's important to talk to your first love. I've learned this the hard way. We each resent being ignored, so why keep God waiting??

I know this may sound simple, but it was powerful to me. I'm just a 'Baby Christian' really, and I've realized the past few months, I'm definitely teething. So far, God has thrown a few hard things for me to chew on...but it's only going to make me stronger.

God bless! (:

and This Would Be a First...

Yes, suprisingly I'm starting a blog! I thought I'd never see the day, because like many things, I shy away when I know I'll be publicly displaying my opinions for the whole world to see, or at the moment, very few people. I don't know what my purpose is for this blog, and I sure don't know why I chose now to start it, but I do know it's something that I guess you could say has been on my 'dream list' for the longest time. That, along with handing out tracks, joining the Peace Corps, being on the beach as it snows, and living in Narnia. So as you can obviously tell, I'm working my way up that ladder slowly but surely. I would like to think my life is centered completely around my Lord and Saviour, but I know that I am far from where I should be in my daily walk, and why be satisfied when there is always room for improvement? In this case, I'm hoping I'll someway...somehow teach myself through this blog, although I know I am nothing of writer (typer hehe)...err and I obviously make cheesy jokes such as that one that only I get a kick out of. I'm only 17 and I know spiritually, I'm just a baby trying to fit in her big girl pants...so far, no luck. But, I have high hopes for this blog right now, and I have a feeling I have a lot to tell just like I have a lot to learn.

God bless,

Lacey