It Is Well

Life has hard seasons. There is no denying it. Some seasons are so hard that they almost feel unbearable. But whatever God has for us is never unbearable. His Word promises that.

Last summer, my mama heart was breaking. And it was relentless. For weeks.

On June 2 I was driving to the hospital alone. I had gone home to celebrate Caleb’s 17th birthday. In the car, I listened to praise and worship music. “It is Well” came on. And it was just what my heart needed.

“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”

I cried and I cried. My heart was breaking and rejoicing at the same time. I was reminded to focus on eternity. It is truly our only hope. In good times and in bad, it is always our only real hope.

And that is what got me through. People ask me that all the time. My answer is always “Eternity. Eternity got me through.” I knew Silas and I would be together forever. Maybe not in this life, but in the one to come. Many hard days and weeks and months followed. And I did not despair. Because I had all the hope.

Today we could not go to church due to some sickness in our home. But we watched it online. Silas and I were all snuggled up under warm blankets when our Crossway worship team began singing “It is Well.” And that June 2 memory came flooding back. I never could have imagined the work the Lord would do in and through our sweet Silas. I even got to share that memory with Si. Surreal.