The second candle of Advent is peace.
Do you have words that
you often repeat? They are called a catchphrase.
I knew I often say, "all is well" and I was "pretty sure" of the meaning but I googled the word "catchphrase" just to be sure. "it is an expression recognized by its repeated utterance".
So, I wondered why have
those three words become a catchphrase for me.
And not only did I
wonder -- I pondered.
That made me think of
the words of Mary the mother of Jesus when the shepherds came to visit the baby
who had been born in a manger but I'm concentrating on the second Sunday of Advent,
and we are awaiting the birth. You might say I'm getting ahead of my
story.
Which is why do I say, “all
is well".
Because it is. In other words "I am at peace".
"When peace like a
river attendeth my soul, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot
thou has taught me to say it is well, it is well with my soul. . . "
Those words are from a
song that has been dear to me since I was a high school senior. I think that's
the first time I remember hearing it. The story of how Horatio Spafford a
successful attorney and real estate investor lost his fortune and a child about
the time of the 1871 Great Chicago fire. He determined that a family vacation
would be good, so he put his wife and their four daughters on a ship to England
and planned to follow them. The ship was involved in a collision and all four
daughters were lost. His wife survived. He set sail for England right away and when the ship
arrived at the spot of the tragedy, he penned the lyrics for what would become
the song "It is Well with My Soul". Later Philip P. Bliss
wrote the music.
When I think about the amount
of pain that Stafford was surely feeling as he knew he was on the very spot
where his children had perished it seems unimaginable to me that he could write
such strong words of belief in God. Sometimes just a photo of my three children
makes me shudder and tear up. The thought of losing any of them is unbearable -
but all three. No way.
And feel a sense of
peace???
I am fortunate that I often have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the river and creek that are near my home. Sometimes it's because I am at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior and sometimes it's because I am at Walter Jones Park. Then I can appreciate the St. Johns River. Sometimes I need to cross Julington Creek in order to visit my children, or my aunt and until this past July my mother when she was a resident at Westminster Woods. And yes, sometimes I get to enjoy Julington Creek from the home of my best friend.
However . . .
It is a good picture of
life. . .which can be so unpredictable. A joyful time can turn to one of
sorrow quickly. But a distressing situation can become a blessing.
That's why it's good to
know - the way the song ends.
"Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul"
Yes. I know I am a Pollyanna.
I know I always think things are going to work out for the best. I also
know that sometimes best is a difficult pill to swallow.
I just know that my best
recourse when the sea billows roll, and the river seems far from peaceful is to
put these words into my heart:
"Do not be anxious about
anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6,7)
Those
words and my belief that they are true are the foundation for me to continue to
respond
"All is well"
May your life have enough sunshine,
To make you appreciate the shadows
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