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.

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 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!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of 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.

 Horatio G. Spafford penned this hymn in 1873 after loosing his 4 daughters in a shipwreck. I don't know why I - but I cannot get this hymn out of my head this morning....it is one of my favorites. Life can be very hard, but God is so good. At the end of 2011 - looking forward to 2012 - I must say, "Thank you, Lord, for your tender mercies, for your blessings and watch-care over me." Horatio G. Spafford's life is an example of his love and commitment to the Lord and his compassion for his fellow man. He looked beyond his own suffering and selflessly served others - showing the love of Christ throughout his life. What a great example and inspiration to keep up the fight - to run the race - to persevere through life's struggles and to help who you can along the way.