It Is Well

I spent a little over a week visiting family in Wheeling, WV this month. There was a family reunion, a visit with the last three remaining siblings of my dad, meals and hanging out with my mom, brother and sister. We made fudge from my father’s recipe, it was delicious. Watched the MLB All-Star game. And I paid a visit to the cemetery and my dad’s gravesite.

On Sunday, my brother and sister sang “It Is Well With My Soul” in church. They had done that song a few years ago during another of my trips there, and I introduced them with the story behind that song. As I listened to them sing, I thought again of the great comfort we find through our faith in Jesus. Regardless of our circumstance, what may be going on around us, we have joy and peace because of the assurance that God walks with us through it all.

On November 15, 1873, the Ville du Havre set sail from New York City for France. There were 313 passengers and crew on board. Among them were Anna Spafford and her four daughters. Horatio Spafford was supposed to have been aboard as well, but business kept him in Chicago.

At about 2:00 AM on November 22, 1873 the Ville du Havre collided with the Scottish clipper Loch Earn. The violence of the collision woke all the passengers who soon made their way to the deck. The lifeboats had been recently painted and most of them were hopelessly stuck to the deck of the ship. 226 passengers and crew died as the ship sank within 12 minutes. Of the 61 passengers and 26 crew to survive was Anna Spafford, found unconscious, floating on a plank of wood. The four Spafford daughters all drowned.

It would be another nine days before the survivors landed at Cardiff, Wales and Anna sent a telegram to her husband. “Saved alone. What shall I do?”

Horatio left Chicago and sailed to meet his wife. As the ship passed over the spot where the Ville du Havre had sunk, the captain called Spafford into his cabin to tell him where they were. Spafford retired to his own cabin and began writing the words to “It Is Well With My Soul.”

We will all experience loss, and because of the hope we have in Jesus and His promise of eternity, we are able to face that loss, as well as the joyful times, with confidence and peace.

“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.”

Jerry Williams