Before I get too far into this, I need to throw this out there.  In the past couple days, I’ve discovered that whenever I type the word “soul”, for whatever reason, I ALWAYS type in a “d” at the end of it — “sould”.  I really don’t know why.

Anyway…

The other day when I posted about my time in Indiana, JD’s passing, etc., I posted some lyrics to one of my favorite hymns, titled “It is Well With My Soul”.  I have found the lyrics very fitting recently with everything that’s gone on, so that’s why I posted those lyrics.

I was looking for a good, modern version of the song via Google the other day after writing that post. (Which, by the way, if anyone knows of a more modern version, nothing too over the top, but maybe a good version with an acoustic guitar or something, let me know.  I couldn’t find anything that wasn’t too over the top (I did not like the Jars of Clay or Audio Adrenaline versions).  I did find a version by somebody named Chris Rice, I believe.  It was just a piano and his voice, and it was ok.  Just not quite what I was looking for.  Close though.  Anyway, if you know of a good one, let me know).

As I was looking, I found out more about the story behind the writer of the song.  (Matt, I know you posted part of this in my comments the other day.  I had actually planned on posting the story behind it as my next post, so I thought it was funny that you wrote what you did in your comment! )  I’d like to share that story, as I find it very inspiring.  (For those who don’t want to read it, there’s a good video that tells the story below).  I found this on this blog (I found this entry to be better written than many of the others I found):

“It Is Well With My Soul” was written by a Church Layman, named Horatio G. Spafford in 1828. As a young man he established a very successful legal practice in Chicago. Even thou he enjoyed great financial success, he held fast to his Christian Faith as well as the close relationship he had with D.L. Moody and other evangelical leaders of that time.

A few months before the Chicago Fire of 1871, Spafford had invested heavily in real estate on the shore of Lake Michigan. All of his holdings were wiped out by the disaster which came on the heels of him losing his only son to Scarlet Fever. Desiring rest for his grieving wife and four daughters, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in 1873. However, due to some last minute business developments, he was unable to travel. Instead he sent his wife and children ahead, promising to follow in a few days.

In early November the ship his family was traveling on was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel, and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later the survivors landed in Wales. Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, “Saved Alone.”

Shortly afterward Spafford left by ship to join his devastated wife. It is speculated that on the sea near the area where it was thought his four daughters had drowned, Spafford penned this text with words so significantly describing his own personal grief- “When sorrows like sea billows roll…”

And here is the video, for those who don’t want to read the above.  It’s fairly short, and definitely worth a watch:

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