It Is Well

My daddy's favorite hymn was "It Is Well."  I have a memory of my dad preaching one night at church when I was little.  I don't remember what he said, but I remember him singing at the end of his sermon "It Is Well" a capella.  It touched me to see his love for Jesus.  Dad was far from perfect, but when he was in church, or in the Word, or in any discussion on anything Jesus, man, you could just see his love shining.  Even the tone of his voice changed.  It became more soothing, more graceful.  I just can't explain it. Those are the memories I cherish.  Those are the sounds I hold close to my heart.  That's where I find comfort- to remember his love for God and to remember how happy being in the presence of the Lord made him here on earth. I can only imagine what he feels now to truly be in His presence- for all eternity.  Thank you for that, Dad.  Thank you for making sure that we know without a shadow of a doubt that you are happier than ever right now. 

There was never a doubt in my mind that I wanted to play "It Is Well" at his funeral.  Playing the piano is my favorite way to spend time with God.  When I play, I pray.  I play for Jesus.  He is my audience.  So to put my best into a song, usually every Sunday before I play, I look up the words to the hymn in the hymnal.  It makes everything that much more personal for Him and me.  It's our special time.  The day of the funeral, I happened to look up the words to "It Is Well" on my phone, even though I know the words backwards and forwards.  But like I said, it's a habit to do this before I play, and when I don't do it, I feel scattered- like I'm not put together.  When I opened the verses on my phone, I saw some stanzas that I'd never seen before.

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.

Refrain:
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 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!

(Here's the two new stanzas I've never heard)

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.

WOW.  It literally gave me chills just to type this.  Seeing these words, especially that last new stanza, gave me what I needed to play that day.  I've about killed that offertory arrangement of "It Is Well." I've played it so much.  But on that day, the day we celebrated my dad's life, I played it with everything I had and then some.  I don't know if it meant anything to anybody else, but I don't even care.  Because I played it for my dad.  I could see him sitting right where he did when I was growing up in that church, and I could see that little smile on his face.  Then I could see him as he is he is now- the clouds rolling back and welcoming him home! And he has blessed rest of his soul!  I played it for my dad, and I played it for my Jesus.  My Jesus, who has constantly comforted me and held me and let me rest in Him during this valley that I'm going through right now.  My Jesus, who has provided me with constant assurance that my daddy is okay.  My Jesus, oh how I love thee. 

I know this is a long post, but it feels so good to write.  I must share one more letter from my dad.  I hope that if anyone reads this, that it encourages you to write.  Write love letters to your children.  I'm so grateful to have these letters.  I share them as a remembrance of my dad, as a motivator for my friends to write to your loved ones, and as an accountability to myself to live for Jesus.

This was a birthday card.

Ashley,
I hope this day will be a happy day for you.  You bring such joy and happiness to my life.  The Lord truly blest me when He sent you to me.

I am so very proud of you.  You have a loving spirit that is very refreshing in the day in which we live.

I love you so very much that words cannot express the depth of my love for you.  Always remember no matter how old you get that you are Daddy's little girl.  Daddy will always be here for you!

Birthdays come and go and the presents you  get- they sometimes lose their luster, so I want to give you a gift that will last forever.  What is it?  It is some advice.  Here it is.  Are you ready? 

If you want to be truly happy in this life, stay very close to God.  Read your Bible and pray.  Share some of God's love with another person on a daily basis.  Don't look for what you can get, but rather look for what you can give.

And remember,
Daddy loves you!

Thank you, my sweet daddy, for this gift that will last forever.  You didn't know it at the time, but it was a double whammy.  I got great advice, and I got your beautiful, loving words.  Blessed.  That's what we are to have known him. 








"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:  not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  John 14:27