It is Well With My Soul

 "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."-Psalm 34:18-
"May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant."-Psalm 119:76-
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." -Matthew 5:4-

Ever since hearing about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown Ct this morning I have been in a daze. I went on through my day almost as if nothing had happened in hopes to keep the kids that I watch from being afraid. All day though all I could think about was all of the kids at the elementary school I worked at this semester, the kids I babysit and just all the kiddos I know. I couldn't imagine how I would feel if it were one of them. I also kept thinking of all of my teacher friends and especially my mom. Today really shook me. I haven't been able to wrap my head around why someone would go in and kill so many children... 20 kids dead... 20 kiddos who will never grow up and see their dreams come true.....20 kids who will never graduate.....never go to college... never have a job... never get married....never have their own family....  20 families who just this morning had to say goodbye for the last time.... 6 other families as well.... 26 people murdered for an unkown reason.... In cold blood... They will not be forgotten.

As I pondered all of this today I got so angry with God. I couldn't understand how he could let so many innocent children just die like that. It broke my heart.  Then I was reminded of one of my favorite hymns and the story behind it. "It is Well With My Soul". After already having grieved over the loss of his 4 year old son to scarlet fever and the loss of a huge fortune in the great Chicago fire in 1871 in  1873, Spafford scheduled a boat trip to Europe in order to give his wife and daughters a much needed vacation and time to recover from the tragedy. He also went to join Moody and Sankey on an evangelistic campaign in England. Spafford sent his wife and daughters ahead of him while he remained in Chicago to take care of some unexpected last minute business. Several days later he received notice that his family's ship had encountered a collision. All four of his daughters drowned; only his wife had survived.With a heavy heart, Spafford boarded a boat that would take him to his grieving Anna in England. It was on this trip that he penned those now famous words as he passed the place where his daughters had drowned, When sorrow like sea billows roll; it is well, it is well with my soul..

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.
 When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

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.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with 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! 

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with 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. 

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

In this sad time for so many we must remember God is in control. He is still mighty and good. He has not abandoned anyone. He still loves. I am also just reminded of the great need for God in this broken world. Especially here in our own backyard. We sometimes think so far to outer edges of the earth spreading His name that we forget about the good ol' USA. We need to live our lives missionally everywhere we are so that we can bring light into this dark world.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." -Matthew 5:14-16-

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!Bless the Lord, O my soul,
 and forget not all his benefits,who forgives all your iniquity,who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. -Psalm 103:1-6-