Saturday, October 15, 2011

It is Well With My Soul

It seems like forever since I have posted or read any blogs, and I have missed nearly 
all of the beautiful fall posts that I always look forward to.  But I wanted to share these fall photos taken at a state park near my parent's home where I spent several afternoons taking solace from the storms of life.




 
The last two weeks of my life have been a blur as I and my seven siblings were confronted
with the shocking news that my parents had been in a serious car accident.
I first heard about the accident on the noon news which happened just one block 
from my parents home.  No names or photos were given and it crossed my mind
that one of my parents could have been involved, but nothing prepared me for the
fact that they were both in the car.





My parents were taken to separate downtown hospitals and my family was split up
to be with each parent.  My Mom went to the hospital with the best trauma center
indicating her injuries were the worst and three of my sisters went to be with her.
I went off to be with my Dad, and it was hours before we knew how serious his injuries were.  
 



 
When I got to the ER, he looked remarkably well and just confused.  He was talking to us
the whole time and aware of who was with him, which the doctors said was remarkable
considering he had to be revived at the scene of the accident and is 92 years old.
I was in awe as he went from confusion, to saying how much he hurt, to thanking God
for the good life he had enjoyed, and finally to praying blessings over his family.  Words
cannot describe the peace of God that flooded that room and covered us all like 
a blanket.  I can only describe it as feeling like I was standing on holy ground.





But late in the afternoon, the bad news started rolling in and we were told my Dad
had a broken neck, a severed spinal cord, was paralyzed, and not a surgical candidate.
By this time, more and more extended family were arriving as we gathered around his bedside to be with him.  The hardest part was watching him suffer with so much pain,
but still praises to God rolled off his tongue and I knew I was watching true faith in action.





Within 28 hours from the time of the accident, he closed his eyes on earth to open them in heaven.  In every minute and every detail we were overwhelmed with the peace of God that
passes all understanding.  Lives were deeply touched and many wounds healed.  Though we
will always miss our Father, we marvel at the gift of time and words of healing that God gave our family which came wrapped in sorrow and the peace of God.





My Mother has been discharged from the hospital and is now in a nursing home getting rehab for her numerous broken ribs and broken collar bone.  I covet your prayers for her continued recovery as she is not out of the woods yet and would be very vulnerable to any infection.
We continue to give God praise for His love and peace that sustains our family.





I leave you with the words of my Dad's favorite song, "It is Well With My Soul",
that was sung at his funeral.
 
 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.
 
Refrain: 
It is well, 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 not 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 my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
 
This is a picture of all my brothers and sisters taken after the funeral for my
Mother, who could not attend the funeral since she was in the hospital.




~

Linking with 

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
 

22 comments:

Karen said...

All that I can say is that I am so very, very sorry. I know the feeling your are referring to as you watched your father pray. God was so very present when each of my parents passed away.. just four months apart. While I have felt that I am a true believer, I have never felt God's presence as I did with the passing of my parents. I will be praying for your dear mother. God is walking with you.. I know that you realize this. So is your family and also your friends.
Hugs,
Karen
Ladybug Creek

Cindy Adkins said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I read your post with tears in my eyes as it reminded me of my own father, who passed away 15 years ago this October 21st. My heart goes out to you, and I will say a prayer for your mother. Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my blog and comment on my photos of Kingwood Center. The photos you posted of the park are so beautiful...autumn is bittersweet. God bless you and your family. Hugs,
Cindy

joanne said...

I cannot imagine the peace and love that surrounded your father and family as he left this earthly world...but I praise God you were all together with him. I will continue to sent prayers for your family and your mother...may she heal quickly and may God hold you all in the palm of his hand. take care.

Anonymous said...

There is nothing like the peace of God, and knowing that He reigns sovereign in all things.
Knowing that you will be with your father again someday in heaven. Bless you and your family at this time and I hope that your mom will make a full recovery.
It is well with my soul is one of my favorite hymns too. Kathi
southbaystudiokathi.blogspot.com

Debbie said...

I am so sorry to read of the accident and the loss of your father. He must have been a mighty man of God. What a legacy of love and faith he left his children, right to the very end. I praise with you that you don't grieve as a family with no hope but as one who knows that he left his world immediately into the arms of the Savior.

So many families don't live in that hope.

I pray that your mom continues to heal in every way that she needs to heal. Her heart must be more broken than her body. At their age, death and dying is not unexpected. Doing so in a car accident is.

May God bless your entire family.

Gone Country said...

What a lovely tribute and testament to your father and to his faith in his Heavenly Father!

While I am so sorry to hear about your loss, I'm thanking God for the peace that He has bestowed on your family during this difficult time. I'll be praying for your Mother as she continues to heal.

May God continue to bless you & your family!

Pat@BPM said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. Your tribute is beautiful.

My thoughts and prayers are with your mother and all the family.

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

A life well-led is a gift from God. It sounds like your dad had many gifts in addition to that. How lucky you are to have your brothers and sisters. Prayers to you for the continued improvement of your mother. Lovely post.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. You have an amzing family! Blessings on your mother while she goes through her ordeal. Your post is a beautiful tribute to both of your parents.

d e l i g h t said...

This was a very touching and heartfelt post! I am so sorry for the tragedies that have occurred in your family and the loss of your father. You have beautifully shared the experience with all and what an amazing father you have. I sincerely hope your Mother does well. Thank you for visiting my blog and your sweet comment.

Rebecca said...

I am so sorry to read here of the accident, how one moment in time can change your life around. Isn't it amazing how God cares for us and wraps us in His love... your father sounds very much like mine, I lost him 3 years ago and he was praising God to the end of his days here. I pray that your mother gets stronger and God fills the void she must feel without her partner. Blessings to you and your lovely family, your beautiful spirit blesses your fathers memory.
Rebecca

Debby said...

This tribute was so well written. I am so sorry that this happened.
As you told me in person about how your father was before he passed, what a blessing for that.
What a beautiful picture of you and your siblings.
I wil pray for your mother and for you.

Bonnie said...

What a testimony!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful witness your father had. Your pictures are lovely as are your siblings. Your expression of faith in action is heartfelt and inspiring. I will pray for your mother and all your family. Thank you for the words to the song, It is well with my soul.

Anonymous said...

Oh Cindy I am so sorry to hear this, but thrilled that your father was ready to be lifted into the arms of Jesus!! I love that song and it is my husbands favorite. Praying for you and your whole family that God will strengthen each of you for what lies ahead. Much love to you!!!!
Hugs~
Sandi@Wayside Treasures

Anonymous said...

Thankful that I had success posting finally. I just decided to try it anonymously and it worked! Praying especially for your dear mother!!!!
Hugs~
Sandi@Wayside Treasures

Ginny said...

Thoughts and prayers for you and your family.

Gail said...

Oh dear one - to testify of the beauty of God's autumn season and to hear the praises from your father even while he was slipping away to the other side - my heart is full of love for you as a witness to G-d and full of grief as your family deals with all this about your folks.

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Cindy, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I know what you are feeling right now. My thoughts and prayers are with you. ~Hugs, Patti

erin's art and gardens said...

oh my... i am so very sorry for your loss and for the physical pain your dear mother must be going through...i must say though, i am deeply moved by your words here and your faith is strong and oh so helpful in this difficult time...the picture of you and your siblings emminates a true peacefulness...god is good.
i am sending prayers to you and healing vibes to your mother.
bless you and your family,
erin
xxoo

A New England Life said...

I gasped when I read this Cindy. My heart goes out to you and your family, though I sense you are all doing okay and caring for your mom on a daily basis. My hope is that she is healing quickly, physically and emotionally. Such a terrible thing to happen. It's amazing how everything really can change in the blink of an eye.

I hope your father had a long, wonderful, and fulfilling life. What a beautiful family he and your mom raised! That's a lot of kids! : )

(((hugs)))
Sharon

Anonymous said...

I'm a new follower and I want to tell you I have said prayers for your family.

Anonymous said...

Cindy

It is with by deepest regrets to hear about your father and I hope your mother is making great strides to recovery.

I did not know either one however knowing what type of person you are, I know both were very giving people just like yourself.

I believe your Dad is looking down upon you...and smiling, to know what type of person you and your family he has left to follow his footsteps.

My prayers go out to you and your family.

Steve

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