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This is from my brother, the Minister's father-in-law. I though y'all might enjoy it. Be back later!

EAGLE MINISTRIES

IT IS WELL

"One never recognizes the worth of the anchor until he has experienced the fury of the storm. Only those who have gone through deep waters and bitter trials can know the comfort and reassurance that the Lord lovingly bestows in those hours of darkness when we seek His aid and cry for relief. Truly the peace of God that then floods our soul passes all understanding."

This truth has been abundantly illustrated in the life of H. G. Spafford. In 1873 this successful Christian businessman lost all of his material possessions in the great Chicago fire. Just a few weeks later he saw his wife and children off for a trip to France. He said goodbye to them as they departed on the ship, "Ville du Havre." This ship was rammed by an English vessel and sank within two hours - claiming the lives of 226 people. Although Mrs. Spafford survived, all four of their children perished. While en route to Europe to join his wife, Spafford was given the tragic news and later shown the spot in the mid-Atlantic where the shipwreck occurred. Although heartsick with grief, Mr. Spafford suddenly felt an inrush of spiritual peace and comfort as he looked to the Lord for strength. With tears streaming down his face, he picked up a pen to record his feelings, and from his heart there flowed these words:

"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."

As we find ourselves fast approaching another time of national thanksgiving, isn't this one of the grandest themes of all? "It is well with my soul!" No matter what is happening in our world, our neighborhood, no matter if health is failing and dreams seem shattered, it is still "well with my soul." And I have Jesus to thank for that.

There are many things we can be thankful in this life of ours. But the best is that through Jesus Christ our Lord we can say with finality, "It is well with my soul."

""One never recognizes the worth of the anchor until he has experienced the fury of the storm. Only those who have gone through deep waters and bitter trials can know the comfort and reassurance that the Lord lovingly bestows in those hours of darkness when we seek His aid and cry for relief. Truly the peace of God that then floods our soul passes all understanding.""

In the midst of all storms, He indeed is our "Life Preserver"!!

The Spafford story is one I learned in seminary. (it was a bit different) I have used it often in funerals & when doing sermon's on overcoming the "bumps" of life.. (and not the good FR BUMPS!). My brother & I chose it for our dad's funeral & I have written it into my funeral/memorial service.

I am NOT a musician but to me the music is simple & "catchy". Whenever I hear it or it is sung in church, it is one that stays in my head & I find myself humming it.

Thanks so much for posting this ms Dixie. Times of holidays can be fun but they can also be very stressful & sometimes we get so busy in the woods we forget to look at the individual tree. A story like this is good for the big picture. There would not have been a revolution hundreds of years ago if everyone was so self absorbed in their own problems & let personal pity parties take precedence over comfort from God & looking to "what I can do to improve someone else's situation.