It Is Well With My Soul

One of my favorite stories is that of Horatio Spraford, the author of my favorite hymn, "It is Well With my Soul".Mr. Spraford was a rich, successful lawyer and business man. One who seemed to have it all, then in the blink of an eye, he lost it all.

In 1870, Horatio's only son died of scarlet fever at the tender age of four. The following year he lost all of his real estate investments in the Great Chicago Fire.

In November of 1873, Horatio was set to sail with his wife and four daughters to England for a vacation. Horatio was delayed by a business deal, so he sent the women off and he would plan on eventually meet up with them there. The ship the ladies were sailing on collided with an English vessel, claiming the lives of 226 people aboard. His wife Anna was the only one of the family to survive.

Upon receiving the devastating news, Horatio immediately boarded the next ship out of New York to meet his wife. Standing out on the deck of the vessel one night, the Captain came out and mentioned that they were now over the waters where the ship had sunk. God began to speak to Horatio at that moment, he would then penn the lyrics to this great hymn:

When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows, like billows roll

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

One of my friends since high school passed away a couple of years ago from Lou Gehrigs disease.

Tony grew up in a Christian home, married his high school sweetheart, had two kids, a good paying job, he pretty much had it all. His sister had won one half of a lottery jackpot of 48 million dollars, which she would share with her family. Two years after her huge winnings, Tony was diagnosed with the fatal Lou Gehrigs disease. Tony is probably dancing around somewhere up in heaven right now in a new, glorified body.

What we learn from both of these men is that, it is not what you have that's important, but who you have: Jesus Christ, your Lord and Personal Savior.

The unsearchable riches of Christ exceeds by far anything the world has to offer. (Eph.3:8)