It is well.

 Dear Lord,

The depth of this song just hits different when you know how its lyrics came to be written. I can't help but wonder what level of faith Horatio Spafford had to sing, to sing a new song after losing so much. I can't help but wonder where he got the strength to write, to write a new song after losing so much. How do you not get to say goodbye or bury your children but choose to sing it is well? How do you not get closure but choose to sing it is well? How do you not regret allowing them to go on vacation as the head of the family? Maybe if I'd said no. Maybe if we'd stayed a little longer. Maybe if I'd traveled with them. But choose to sing it is well? How do you look at the Atlantic again, marvel at creation and sing it is well? When it is those waves that brought about your greatest loss. See he had love. It was taken away. He had family. It was taken away. He had support. It was taken away. Not some of it. Not slowly. No. All of it. All at once. Unexpectedly. And he chose to sing it well? Even if it hurt. He raised his hands and sang it is well. Even if he had no idea how to start over with his wife he chose to sing whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, it is well with my soul! 

We don't always control what happens to us. But we control how we interpret what happens to us and also how we respond to it. ~the.lamare

When I begin to feel too hungry. Too naked. Too sick. Too tired. May I remember my fourteen year old little sister who died whilst giving birth. May I remember my brother who was killed on his way home for his watch, fake shoes and empty wallet. May I remember my neighbour who had invested her all into her business for everything to be looted when she did not even have insurance. May I remember my little brother who has to walk ten kilometres to school on bare feet in the cold. May I remember my friend who lost both parents to the pandemic. May I remember my friend who is bed ridden and cannot afford a kidney transplant. May I remember my cousin who has become house help at fifteen because of lack of funds to further her education. May I remember my pregnant sister who slipped in the kitchen and watched herself bleed, watched the life that had been growing inside of her drip down her legs. May I remember my brothers who were deported and humiliated infront of the whole country. May I remember this Horatio Spafford who on his way to meet his wife chose to write ‘No pain shall be mine, for in death as in life Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul'. Like Job he knew deep down in his heart that despite it all, his Redeemer lives. May I remember Tafadzwa. Anesu. Tatenda. Smanga. Rose. Andrew. Simiso. Clara. Thando. Sgcebhe. Nozi. Mimie. MaKhumalo. Tshuma. Mbali. They all have stories that make me feel like I have it easy. 

May I remember that my faith will be tried by fire. May I remember that the weapon may be formed but it will not prosper. May I remember to count my blessings. May I remember to be content. May I remember to kneel down, raise my hands and sing. From the bottom of my heart. When things are spiralling out of control. When I feel like giving up. When I begin to doubt myself. When I begin to doubt you. When all I've lived for is lost. When I'm in pain. When facing rejection. May I sing that whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say, it is well with my soul. May I know that when another life is lost. Another dream is turned to smoke. Another tear rolls down my face. I'm being given another reason to sing. It is well with my soul. May I remember that all things are working for my good and that it is well with my soul in Jesus's name I pray,

Amen.

Job 19:25-27 [25]For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: [26]And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: [27]Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Philippians 4:11-12 [11]Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12]I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.