I got the call as I was walking to my car after church service, my list in hand for the last minute details needed for my daughters 4th birthday party. This morning her teenaged daughter died in a very tragic car accident. Killed instantly. Immediatley I searched for ways to offer comfort. Nothing seemed good enough. I could be available, I could watch kids, I could cook or clean, or just hug her and help her cry. But Lord how could I possibly comfort her?
The devotion I had been preparing for Tuesday suddenly made sense.
The hymn entitled "It Is Well With My Soul" was written by a man named Horatio Spafford in 1873. This prominent lawyer and businessman from Chicago knew tragedy, he lived it. In 1871 his only son died at the age of four from scarlet fever, later he lost everything in the Great Chicago Fire, ruining him financially. Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on his family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters along with him to help DL Moody in England during an evangelstic tour as well as enjoy some time of rest. However, just before boarding the ship in New York, a last minute business development forced him to delay. Rather than ruining the familys holiday he urged them to go on ahead and he would follow shortly.
On November 2, 1873 their ship collided with an english vessel. It sank in 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie, and Tanetta clinging desparately to her. Her last memory was of her baby being ripped violently from her arms by the forceful waters. Anna was saved only by a floating plank supporting her unconcious body.
Horatio received a telegram from Anna that read; "Saved Alone, What shall I do?" As he journeyed to meet his grieving wife, he passed over the location where his daughters had died, and was inspired to write the words to this now timeless, classic hymn.
My most favorite line reads; 'No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life, thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.'
Philipians 4:7 reminds me that; 'The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus'.
I can't say that my faith could be as strong as Mr. Spaffords, but I am encouraged and inspired by his demonstration. I cannot say for sure that I could live through such tribulation, but I know that God, who sustained them, would also sustain me.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
My Easter Reflection
As I sit in the rare quiet of my house, while my daughter naps, I am trying to slow down and enjoy every minute rather than panic that my time will run out soon.
My spirit is so reflective and wants to sit in this lovely, soothing, peaceful place.
Easter is my favorite Holiday (next to Christmas) for its meaning, not for the commercialism (though don't get me wrong I love marshmallow peeps and chocolate and easter egg hunts and all that stuff). But the meaning behind Easter is the best gift of all. The gift of forgiveness.
Jesus died on the cross. JESUS died on the CROSS. JESUS DIED. This is mind boggling to me. My logic and intelligence can't understand it and yet my soul aches in the joy and in the pain of this truth. This is the Father's plan to bring his lost people back to him.
Before Christ we were doomed to death, judgment for all of the bad stuff we do, and eternal separation from God. Their is none good but God and we are not good enough to even be in his presence.
The 10 commandements couldnt keep people in line. They couldn't keep even one of them! I know I can't go one day without commiting some sort of crime; of the heart, of the mind, or even of my actions. I don't mean the kind of crime that would land me in jail, but the kind of crime that, prior to Christ, would have found me unclean to be in the presence of God.
God missed his people, his creation, and wanted them near him again, to fellowship with them and be worshiped by them. So the plan; to send his one and only son, this diety come to life and to walk the earth for the purposes of his death. What?! Yes! So that He could be the spotless lamb, the perfect sacrfice for the sins of all mankind. I'm still shaking my head in amazement.
The movie; The Passion of the Christ is by the far the best, most powerful, most inspirational, most moving illustration of what took place when Jesus was crucified. Crucified like a common criminal. Crucified for me! And for you! And for my enemies! Even for the people that I think don't deserve it. I'm in awe. I love watching this movie! It reminds me of my freedom today and the price that was paid for it. I am reminded of how much God loves me and to what lengths he went to bring me closer to him.
Wow! My words run low and I can no longer express my gratitude, my peace. God gives me peace that passes all understanding. And just for a moment longer I am going to sit with this and be present, right now, this minute. I will not avoid. It may be painful, I may even cry. But this gift is too big for my heart to comprehend and it always makes me cry.
I hope that you can grab a hold of this truth and accept this gift that God has given us. All we have to do is say; "Thank you Jesus, for dying for me, for wiping away my sins, for coming into my heart and into my life."
Happy Easter! He is Risen!
My spirit is so reflective and wants to sit in this lovely, soothing, peaceful place.
Easter is my favorite Holiday (next to Christmas) for its meaning, not for the commercialism (though don't get me wrong I love marshmallow peeps and chocolate and easter egg hunts and all that stuff). But the meaning behind Easter is the best gift of all. The gift of forgiveness.
Jesus died on the cross. JESUS died on the CROSS. JESUS DIED. This is mind boggling to me. My logic and intelligence can't understand it and yet my soul aches in the joy and in the pain of this truth. This is the Father's plan to bring his lost people back to him.
Before Christ we were doomed to death, judgment for all of the bad stuff we do, and eternal separation from God. Their is none good but God and we are not good enough to even be in his presence.
The 10 commandements couldnt keep people in line. They couldn't keep even one of them! I know I can't go one day without commiting some sort of crime; of the heart, of the mind, or even of my actions. I don't mean the kind of crime that would land me in jail, but the kind of crime that, prior to Christ, would have found me unclean to be in the presence of God.
God missed his people, his creation, and wanted them near him again, to fellowship with them and be worshiped by them. So the plan; to send his one and only son, this diety come to life and to walk the earth for the purposes of his death. What?! Yes! So that He could be the spotless lamb, the perfect sacrfice for the sins of all mankind. I'm still shaking my head in amazement.
The movie; The Passion of the Christ is by the far the best, most powerful, most inspirational, most moving illustration of what took place when Jesus was crucified. Crucified like a common criminal. Crucified for me! And for you! And for my enemies! Even for the people that I think don't deserve it. I'm in awe. I love watching this movie! It reminds me of my freedom today and the price that was paid for it. I am reminded of how much God loves me and to what lengths he went to bring me closer to him.
Wow! My words run low and I can no longer express my gratitude, my peace. God gives me peace that passes all understanding. And just for a moment longer I am going to sit with this and be present, right now, this minute. I will not avoid. It may be painful, I may even cry. But this gift is too big for my heart to comprehend and it always makes me cry.
I hope that you can grab a hold of this truth and accept this gift that God has given us. All we have to do is say; "Thank you Jesus, for dying for me, for wiping away my sins, for coming into my heart and into my life."
Happy Easter! He is Risen!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)