August 2

by David Lins  |  08/02/2020  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

“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, with my soul.”

These lyrics are from the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” and were penned by Horatio Spafford.

He was a family man, a successful lawyer, and a senior partner in a large Chicago firm. In 1871, he invested the majority of his money in real estate.

Shortly thereafter, his young son died of scarlet fever.

In October of that year, the Great Fire of Chicago destroyed almost all of his investment.

In 1873, he planned a family vacation to Europe for his wife and four daughters. A last minute business emergency caused him to send his family ahead. On November 22, their ship was struck by another vessel and sunk in twelve minutes. His wife survived, but all four daughters perished.

It is said he wrote the hymn as his ship approached the location of the accident that claimed the life of his children.

Read those words again.

“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, with my soul.”

During this time when worldly peace seems so hard to find...during this time when tomorrow seems such a mystery….during this time where discord is the prevailing wind…

Let us cling to our God. For it is well with my soul.

Questions? Comments? Email David at dlins@oloj.org.

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