PDF | Print |

Written by Sparky Pritchard Friday, 20 November 2009 12:02

November 22 is a date that lingers in many minds.  For some, it recalls the events in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.  (It is as vivid in my memory as 9/11 is for our younger generation.)  And November 22, 1963, was also the very day that many believers mourned when it was reported that C. S. Lewis had died.  (As you may know, Lewis taught at both Oxford and Cambridge, and after his conversion to Christianity became a staunch defender of the faith.)

If you were to go back in time another 90 years to November 22, 1873, you would learn of another great loss.  But let me give you some background.  At the start of the year in 1871, the man of whom I am thinking was enjoying great financial success through his numerous real estate investments in downtown Chicago.  In addition, he was blessed with a wonderful family – a wife and four children.  But four months into the year, the Great Chicago Fire brought terrible losses.  Yet, this man of faith entrusted the matter into God’s sovereign hands.  He refused to grow bitter or discouraged.

Then came 1873 as his wife gave birth to their first son.  However, tragedy struck again as the child died shortly thereafter.  With such burdens mounting, this family needed some rest and a change of scenery.  In the providence of God, they were offered the opportunity to travel to Europe to assist in some evangelistic meetings being conducted by D. L. Moody.  Their plans included a visit to the Holy Land to walk where Jesus had walked.  It would be a time of spiritual, physical and personal renewal.

The departure was scheduled just before Thanksgiving when urgent business delayed this business man’s plans.  No big deal.  His wife and four daughters could leave on schedule; he would follow a few days later.

About a week later, the morning paper reported a horrible story.  The ship on which his family was traveling had been struck by another vessel in the mid-Atlantic and had sunk in less than 12 minutes.  There was no initial word  regarding  survivors.   Then  came  a  telegram  from  his  wife  on December 1, “Saved.  Alone.”  The message was clear.  He had lost all four daughters in the collision.

He boarded the next ship to Europe to be at his wife’s side to comfort her.  And as he passed near the scene of such great sorrow, Horatio Spafford penned words that have brought comfort to many burdened hearts ever since.

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.

Whatever burdens and heartaches you bear at this season, choose to rest in the Lord … to count your blessings (though hidden by your pain) … and to thank Him for His goodness and faithfulness this Thanksgiving.