Peace
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrow like seas billow roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
-”It Is Well” by Horatio Spafford
These little fruits are elderberries, the beloved power of housewives everywhere who thought they could cure the Rona. However, they are onto something. Elderberries are immune-boosting fruit, full of vitamin c and antioxidants. They are a defense from the world of viruses and sickness.
Just so, peace is our cover against calamity and sorrow, be it big or small. Through the power of the Spirit in us, we have access to rest when the world throws curveballs unceasingly. It is our cover during the storms (Phil 4:7) and our ability to go even when the going is tough (Eph 6:15). Peace is our homebase, our refuge (Is 54:10).
Some may think of peace as a quiet virtue, a fruit best observed in the stillness of the trees and the tenderness of our prayers, and this is so. But I also think peace is strong. It is a fight, it is in the midst of it. For it is hard to remember that we need the peace of God when walking through the meadow, but when a thunderstorm approaches and you’re miles from home, then you remember (I’m not speaking from recent experience, why do you ask?)
When thinking about peace, I kept humming “It Is Well.” And in case you, like me, forgot the depth of this song, let’s remember together.
Horatio married Anna Lawson and moved to Chicago in 1861 where he practiced law and they raised four daughters. Then came the Great Fire of Chicago, which sent the family into a financial crisis even through their home was spared. Shortly after that, the Spaffords headed to Europe, but Horatio stayed behind a day to take care of some business.
Anna and the four girls rode on ahead, but only Anna made the journey. Six days into the journey their ship struck a cargo ship and sunk. Anna found her way to a lifeboat but her four daughters perished in the water.
In the wake of this tragedy, heavier than most can imagine, Horatio wrote “It is Well.” When the waves of suffering crashed over him, he clung to peace like a river. When loss surrounded him, he taught his soul to sing to the Lord.
Horatio, Anna, and their two daughters born after the crash moved to Jerusalem where they sought to serve the Jews and Arabs. Their daughter Bertha continued their service and opened an orphanage their in what used to be her family home. Their ministry continues to this day.
And thus, from the ashes, with the watering of peace, it truly was and is well.
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
Blessings,
Hannah
(Read more about Horatio’s story here.)