Those who plant with tears will gather fruit with songs of joy.
Psalm 126:5 (NLV)
“Saved alone. What shall I do?” In 1873, Anna Spafford sent those words in a telegram from the shores of England to her husband, Horatio, in Chicago. He had sent his wife and four young daughters ahead of him for a family holiday and was planning to join them after wrapping up some financial affairs. But things didn’t go as planned. Days into the voyage, the ship carrying Anna and her children collided with another in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and all four children perished in the icy water. Only a few years earlier, scarlet fever had taken their young son, and they had faced financial ruin when their investments went up in flames in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Following this horrific series of tragedies for the Spafford family, one would think it would be impossible for these heart-shattered parents to go on, but they did. In fact their faith grew stronger, and because of their unfathomable sorrow, we are encouraged by Horatio’s gift to this world. As he sailed over the very waters that took his children, he wrote:
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. 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 hath 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!
Yeah, that one. One of the world’s most beloved hymns that has encouraged countless hearts came from a completely shattered one. Sometimes we find our hearts shattered, too. We lose people we love, we lose jobs, we lose our health, relationships end, and we try to carry on as we piece together the wreckage of our lives. But from Horatio we learn not to look at our sorrow but to look at the LORD. Not to dwell on all that is temporary, but to live for what is eternal. Tragedy wasn’t the end of the Spafford’s story; triumph was! Their pain turned into purpose.
Whatever heartache you are experiencing—whatever fears, whatever pain or loss that have left you shattered are temporary. Only God can take what is crushed and piece it back together again. Perhaps like Horatio, you just need to focus on God, on His Truth, and on encouraging others who are struggling. Everyone could use a little extra encouragement these days, so get out there and be a blessing. It just might be the glue your heart needs. Then you can stand and joyfully sing, “Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!” You are loved!
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