I have read several stories of how God transformed grief into tremendous times of healing. Some of these stories have become great gospel hymns so that everyone could sing and understand the lyrics.
The great hymnal “It is well with my soul” was written by Horatio Spafford after a shipwreck claimed the lives of his four daughters. A strong devout Christian, Spafford turned his grief into prose after hearing the news of his loved ones.
Everyone of us at some time will face the pain of losing someone. Our hearts are going to experience a void where that person used to be. Losing someone is painful. Losing someone is unpredictable even though we are expecting he or she to leave this earth and go to be with the Lord.
Another great hymnal written by Linda Sandell in 1865 is “Day by Day”. It was during a time when she was a witness to her father falling overboard from a ship and drowned.
During theses times of pain and personal difficulties is when we feel the presence of Jesus. For those of us that know the Lord and Savior personally realize that He is the great healer and restorer. Through Him we receive joy, peace, grace, and hope during our darkest times.
Another great hymn written through a loss of wife and child is “Precious Lord”, written by Tommy Dorsey, a well-known singer in the 1930’s and 40’s. Dorsey’s wife was pregnant, and it was time for childbirth, however she was very sick and bedridden. Dorsey was in demand because of his musical talents.
This was in 1932 and he and his wife lived in Chicago. On this particular day, he was expected to display his vocal talents for a large crowed in St. Louis. Leaving his wife sleeping and resting he made the trip to St. Louis. The next night after his performance he received a telegram reading that his wife had died. His newborn son also died the day he returned home.
He was lost in grief because he was not there when she died. During this time, he used his musical talents and sat down at the piano and began to play a melody. As he played, he felt a peace come over him and he penned the words to the great song, “Precious Lord”.
Read the words that came into his mind that day and you will realize that we are never alone.
“Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am weak, I am worn, through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light, take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.”
These great hymns are still with us today and speak to us just as they did when the Lord inspired these writers to pen them. Music is emotionally and psychologically powerful in helping us to heal. Even when we are broken and at the times when we are at our lowest, Christian music will point us back to Jesus. For those of us that know Him, realizes He is the one that holds us and cares for us during our deepest pain.
Prayer: Thank You Jesus for saving me. Thank you for carrying me during my grief and pain. I praise you in all things here on earth and in heaven. Amen.
