Like most everyone here, I've ridden the horrible roller coaster of surviving infidelity and betrayal in my marriage. Keeping my inner peace has been a constant struggle, and I've failed at it many times. I heard this true story the other day, and it really brought home to me what peace really is:<p>In 1870's Horatio Spafford was a prosperous man with wealth, property, and a big loving family. His life was happy and successful in every way. Then Spafford lost all of his property, and subsequently his wealth, in the Chicago Fire. Shortly after that, he lost his only son in an accident. <p>When Spafford began to get back on his feet, he and his wife decided to take a trip to Europe with their 4 daughters. His wife and girls were to go by ship, and Horatio would follow soon after. As their ship pulled into the harbour in England, a tremendous storm blew up and the ship sank. All four of their daughters drowned, but his wife survived. Horatio got a telegram from her with two words: "Alive. Alone."<p>Spafford got on the next ship to be with his wife. When his ship got near the same harbour, he asked the Captain to show him precisely where the tragedy had occured. The captain told him when they reached the exact spot in the harbour. <p>At that moment, Horatio Spafford walked to the rail of the ship and looked out over the calm waters of the harbour. He took out a small notebook and a pen, and wrote these words:<p>"When peace like a river attendeth my way, or when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul."<p>
I've heard that song all my life, but when I heard the story behind it I was blown away. I pray that we can all find that kind of peace in our present circumstances.<p>Saved<p>[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: savedbygrace ]</p>
