As it was my custom since 2010, I would specially post a hymn on the 3rd may of the year.  3rd may had always been a special day in my life.

So far I have shared the following hymns

What A Friend I have In Jesus” – May 3rd 2010
“Thanks to God” – May 3rd 2011
“Day By Day” – May 3rd 2012
“All The Way The Savior Leads Me” – May 3rd 2013
“Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer” – May 3rd 2014
”Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” – May 3rd 2015
”Hold Thou My hand” – May 3rd 2016
”My Father Watches Over Me” – May 3rd 2017
“I will sing”  – May 3rd 2018

Year 2019 is slightly kinder to me compared to 2018. There are plenty of things to thank God for. God had finally led me to a job to be able to feed my children. The workplace serves as a good relief and escape.

At least life in a way is much more stable. Though sometimes the pain can be still hard and painful, but the mantra of Paul is often on my mind.

“for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.
Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be
full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”- Paul (Php 4:11-13)

Recently this hymn is always in my mind. It was written by Horatio Spatford. He is a man who I believe undergo way much more sufferings that I did. He composed the hymn after a series of misfortune befall him. He lost his son(aged 2) at the great Chicago fire of 1871, which destroyed quite a lot of his properties. His business suffered because of the economic downturn.
He planned to travel to Europe with his family on board SS Villie Du Havre, later on he had a change of plan and he sent his remaining family on board. The ship sank in the Atlantic ocean in a collision, that costs the life of his four daughters, leaving his wife a sole survivor. The wife sent a telegram to him saying “Saved alone…”

He composed the hymn while on his way to comfort his grieving wife.

Yet in the midst of these suffering he is able to write “It is well with my soul” What immense courage is that. So whenever I think about the tune and consider the thing that happened to him, I know that likewise I need to learn to handle difficulty and pain. It is by no means an easy task. Especially when the pain is coming from loved ones. I hope that one day I would learn to be able to say the same in the midst of difficulty and sadness.

But for now, I thank God for all he had given.

Title: It Is Well With My Soul
Author : Horatio Spafford

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (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!

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 the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
A song in the night, oh my soul!