Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a good day. I was on the phone all morning before going to my exercise class. Emoji Still working out things because of my credit card getting used by someone.  Burr it is only 59 out but of course in a month or so that will seem good. Sorry for all those who are dealing with the smoky air from the fires. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Recently I was reading on Crosswalk.com the true stories behind the hymns we sing and so many were written during stormy times of struggle and heartache. It’s in those times of desperation that we give up our control and reach out to the One who is always there waiting for us to lean on Him. One hymn that particularly struck me was written by Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss in 1876, called, It Is Well With My Soul. Only the Lord could give him words of faith and comfort in his time of intense pain. He wrote it after the death of his four-year-old son and also great financial losses resulting from the Chicago fire which left him ruined. It had been his plan to travel to Europe on the SS Ville du Havre with his family but he ended up sending his family ahead in a last-minute change of plans. But sadly, their ship collided while crossing the Atlantic Ocean and sank quickly, claiming the lives of his four daughters. Fortunately, his wife survived and sent him a telegram saying, “Saved alone…” It was on his way to meet her that Horatio was inspired to write the hymn in the very place that the ship passed near where his daughters died. I can’t imagine the grief he must have felt. Some of the words are: “ 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…..It is well/ With my soul.” He goes on to write that even when Satan should buffet him and trials come, he is assured that the Lord regards his helplessness and gave his life for him. It is also true for us, that no matter what happens in this life, the Lord is there for us and will give us His supernatural peace in the midst of it all. Like it says in Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified}, “You will guard him and keep him in perfect an constant peace whose mind( both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You and hopes confident in you.”
Challenge for today: Tell the Lord it is well with your soul no matter what happens, for your life is held in His hands.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy