This morning’s prompt for Five Minute Friday is WELL. Kate had a guest post today…from Susie Finkbeiner. It was short (five minutes does that to a post) but so struck a chord with me. You might want to read that one before you finish with my thoughts. On “Well.”
GO – “It is Well with My Soul” has, sincerely, been my theme for many years now. Perhaps it is because the writer of the hymn, Horatio Spafford, wrote from a soul so engulfed with grief – shortly after all four of his daughters died at sea. His words echo my thoughts. I have known grief. I have been trapped by depression. I have experienced a draining of my soul to the point of despair. But God has been so faithful. More than merciful and lovingly patient with me. And I can agree with Mr. Spafford:
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 how often does the idea that Susie expressed this morning resonated more with me? Instead of the well of her heart overflowing, she often is simply “sucking mud unsuitable for sustenance.” Sucking in that with ruins the life-giving water that Jesus offers and depleting the well completely.
God, in His goodness, has brought me so far. Through so much. Has picked my feet from miry clay, has given me a new song and restored my joy. But I don’t want to settle. Don’t hear me wrong – I am beyond grateful. I don’t want all of God’s blessings to be from years gone by. I want to continue to see Him working graciously and wonderfully not only in my life but through my life. I want the living water He pours into the well of my heart to remain fresh, stirred and useable. Without the mud that so easily can seep in.
It is well with my soul. Yesterday, today and prayerfully tomorrow.
STOP – One more minute….just to share my favorite verse. It’s hard to pick a favorite but this is mine and echos my thoughts here.
John 10:10 “….I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Jennifer, I’m late in my reading this morning. I, too, have experienced all those emotions and God has sustained me. I am eternally grateful for His grace and mercy and I can confidently say “it is well with my soul.” xo
I agree, Susan. So very grateful for His sustaining grace!
This is beautiful! The writing prompt well” prompted me to Write about the same song ♥️
I love what you wrote at the end…”it is well with my soul yesterday, today and prayerfully tomorrow”. That’s going to to stick with me. Thank you, blessed and encouraged by your words today!
Thanks Sarah! So glad you were encouraged!
Love the honesty and faith here, Jennifer.
They say I should be all depressed,
for after all, I’m dyin’ hard,
but my soul has been possessed
by a dream worth livin’, pard.
I look to God and see the glory
way high above this dead hog-waller,
and ’cause I heard the song and story
of His Boy, I’m gonna foller.
Way out here we hang ’em high,
but only them what deserve it;
Jesus sure didn’t have to die,
but did for us, as His Service.
So I guess I’ll just take Jesus’ part
and meet my fate with happy heart.
#2 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/06/your-dying-spouse-629-you-only-keep.html
Thanks for stopping by, Andrew. And, for sharing your poetry here!!
“I want the living water He pours into the well of my heart to remain fresh, stirred and useable. Without the mud that so easily can seep in.” Amen and Amen. Beautiful post. Thank you. Visiting from FMF.
Thanks for your kind comment, Esther. So glad you stopped by!