It Is Well With My Soul, a new mixed media painting...

July 9th, 2017
Heather Grace Greinwald

It Is Well With My Soul...

                                                                                                     
He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge, his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:4

It Is Well With My Soul...It Is Well...These words from an old hymn resinate with me, much like a healing salve on a wound, or a drink when very thirsty....satisfying.  The words are part of an old hymn by Horatio G. Stafford, written in 1873.

I appreciate stories.  They add depth, insite and understanding.  Much like marrow to the bones, it is the "meat" behind the outer shell. Also, much like a story behind a painting, it giving a  deeper appreciation of the piece, as well as personal inspiration.  Much like, Horatio's story behind his beloved hymn...

Mr. Spafford was a wealthy Chicago lawyer, to whom mourned the loss of his son in 1870.  A year later, endured the Chicago fire, with much financial loss.  As a gift and a greatly needed respite for his wife, himself and four daughters, he planned a boat voyage through Europe.  At departure, he was held back due to business, yet sent his family along, promising to reunite soon...



 

                                                                                                    
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
Psalm 46:1-2

 

The reuniting was minus four...the vessel was struck at sea, his daughters, went home to be with there heavenly father.  The message received from his wife, "Saved alone".

As Horatio boarded a ship to join his grieving wife, he traveled the very path where his daughters lives seized...

And he wrote...When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like billows roll.  Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well with my soul...      

             




                                                          

"Some day you're gonna look back on this moment of your life as such a sweet time of grieving. You'll see that you were in mourning and your heart was broken, but your life was changing..."
~ Elizabeth Gilbert

My appreciation deepened as I learned the story behind the hymn.  As I grow, trials still happen, yet they lesson in power over my life, by choice...Horacio had a choice...turn bitter, depressed, withdrawn, even vengeful , yet, he choose light.  He choose on that exact oceans burial ground to sing with his soul...

His choice back in the 1800's has ripple effects today in my life, as well as many others in this generation.  Powerful!  Our choices effect others...


                                                                               
Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.

~ phil. 4:8

The story behind my painting.  Well, for starters, my soul has always been drawn to light.  Especially in times of darkness.  Whenever I felt felt in the absolute depths of darkness, this song has been my salve, my healing oil to my soul...I love bathing in the words.  It has brought; hope, encouragement and light.  It has lifted me, sometimes even carrying me...

So as I painted, I meditated on all that is lovely...peace, light, choices , good music, family.  This can be a hard muscle to activate at times.  It can involve retraining...It is a choice.  A choice to focus on what is good in life.  Just as Horacio did and I am benefiting from today.  The wings in my painting, represent being lifted, carried and protected.  The lightness of the painting, symbolizes peace, the small stone in the middle of the wings represents, a glimmer of hope, a light for you to cling onto as you are being carried.  The words then in a bolder shade...It Is Well With My Soul...

In boldness, I make the choice to meditate on these things, even when sometimes in life I too have stopped and looked out at my own sea of sadness , I go back to the verse once again...

When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like billows roll.  Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well with my soul....

Until soon...H