Monday, September 26, 2011

It Is Well (As was told to me)

Many years ago just after the civil war, there was a lawyer who lived in the Michigan area. He had five children and loved God with all his heart. He was an extremely intelligent man and was friends with good men such at Dwight L. Moody. This man was a lawyer for doctors and was well loved. One day his little boy became gravely ill and had an infection that could not be treated. The little boy died. His father and mother were so sad over losing their precious little boy. But life goes on.

A few months later this man purchased a strip of properties along Lake Michigan. He intended to transform these buildings into housing and one in particular into a YMCA for his friend Mr. Moody. While making plans, a fire broke out along the water and completely destroyed all of the buildings on the property that this man owned. Feeling so discouraged and broken he sought out his good friend Phil who asked how he was doing and suggested that he take his family to Europe where Mr. Moody was in evangelistic work. This friend thought that he could use a get a way and would like to work with Mr. Moody. So the man made plans with his wife and four daughters to sail to Europe.

The night before they were to sail a knock came at the door and one of the city officials was there. He told this man that he would need to come to a meeting about the property that had been burned. The man explained that he and his family were to set sail the next day. The city official told him that if he didn't show up in two days to the meeting he would possibly lose his land. So he had no choice but to stay behind while his family went ahead to Europe.

While sailing the next day to Europe, there was a great fog that came up on the water; so bad that they could not see where they were going or anything in the way. Fog horns began to sound and bells began to blow as the great ship came into collision course with another ship. They could not avoid each other and the ships collided. It only took twelve minutes for the ship to sink. Most of the passengers were saved but this man's children were all lost at sea. Only his wife was saved.

When the man heard that his family, save his wife, was gone he bowed his head and wept. Why could this have happened? First his little boy, then his property and now his four beautiful daughters. How heavy this mans heart was. He made plans to sail to Europe to join his devastated wife. The grief that this couple shared could only be imagined. How their hearts were broke.

While aboard ship he asked the steward to please let him know when they reached the place where the first ship had gone down. When they reached that spot this man went to the top deck and stood by the rail weeping in agony over the loss of his dear children. It was then that God gently reminded him that He too had lost his Son Jesus. He whispered to this mans heart of the grief that He bore as He watched His Son die on the cross at the hands of cruel men. He then gently reminded this man that He was the peace giver.

Thus, Horatio G. Spafford wrote the beautiful words that we all know so well, It Is Well With My Soul. He sent them back to his friend in Michigan who put the words to music and it will forever be a great hymn of the church.

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, 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.

My sin--Oh the bliss of this

glorious tho't.

My sin--not in part

but the whole.

Is nailed to His cross

And I bear it no more

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

O my soul.

And, Lord, haste the day

when the 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.


Friday, September 9, 2011

God is so good!!!

We were in need of a few things and had a desire for some others...lol!! Since it's 2 totally different things are start with one and then go to the other. Does that make sense???

Tom wanted to can make some home made ketchup. Don't ask me why!! So the neighbor told us to get our tomato's from his vines as he didn't need them. When Tom went to get them today they were for the most part rotted. He was so disappointed. I told him we could do it next year or maybe someone else might have some extra they don't want. He gave up on the idea for the time being. We had a meeting at the school for Tricia and after we were done the Pastor asked us if we wanted some tomatoes. Tom perked right up and said yes. The pastor gave us about a bushel or so of tomatoes. We were flabbergasted!! God knew Toms desires and He gave Tom the tomatoes he needed. We were so thankful!!

Since moving here we knew that we would have to get some winter clothes. I mean, who needs winter clothes in Florida??? At least not like you need them here. Anyway, we were going next week to get some coats and shoes, etc. The same pastor at Tricia's school has a thrift store. He doesn't charge for clothes, only furniture and nic-nacs. He suggested that we come down and look at the store. We went and God again answered prayer. We found 2 long wool coats for church - one for mom and one for me. Also found 3-4 sweaters for Tricia and 2 coats for her. Tom found work pants and a work coat. The pastor found a box of shoes and gave me a practically brand new pair of winter shoes. I also found 3 dresses which I am planning on giving 2 of them to mom since they are her size.

What a blessing this trip to the school turned out to be. We were really worried about this meeting and God took the whole meeting and made it a blessing for us!! Now ain't God good??????

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

There's always a rainbow after a storm

Tom and I have realized since moving to Ohio that sometimes we just have to grab the end of the rope and hold on til the storm passes over. We have been here since the first of June and we really like the area we are in as well as the beautiful lush green land that is all around us. Looking at all of the beauty that God has created has reminded us of just how much He loves us...more than all His creations He loves us the most (and by that I mean human kind). Sometimes through the storm clouds it's hard to see the love of God.

Work has been slow for Tom. When you work construction you never know what will happen from day to day. The weather plays a big factor in whether you get a full day of work or not. We have seen some not so good weeks since being here. The devil knows how to use that against us. We have struggled quite a bit after moving here. On the other hand, we were working ourselves to death in FL and our kids never saw us. I guess when you think about it we are with our girls more since being here and we haven't starved. We have a lot to be thankful for.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that we have been really discouraged and we feel like we are hanging on by a thread. Our one sustaining power is the knowledge that God has not forgotten us and He is supplying our every need. We are working to strengthen our faith and to trust Him more. He is always faithful to our needs and His promises are true. He will not let us down!! We are doing our best to believe this!!

So every day I am finding something to be thankful for. Believe it or not once you start being thankful for one thing, you can find lots more to be thankful for. When we are thankful for what we have in the hard times, God will lift us up and encourage us and we have felt that encouragement. There is a rainbow coming our way!! We are trusting!!