The church family along with the ladies from another congregation went all out to be able to host the funeral and the luncheon afterwards - no small feat for the huge number of people that came. Friends travelled from Edmonton, New Jersey, Cincinnati, Toronto, Hamilton, and from many local congregations... it was incredible!
The funeral home, (Erb & Good in Waterloo) did a wonderful job in every aspect. Really, really amazing. No wonder Dad always liked working with them – they really are special. They went way beyond in looking after us and Dad. Truly exceptional people!
Many, many thanks to our Pastor, Kurt Fischer, and his wife Hannah! I never realized before just how much a pastor did when a death occurs. Seriously! I knew my Dad would be called to go out at all hours of the day or night but I didn’t know what he did beyond speaking with the family. There is so much to organize and so much to coordinate with the funeral home and the family…. I’m ashamed to say, I had no idea! It gave me a whole new appreciation for Dad.
The cemetery part was what I was dreading the most, but in the end it wasn’t as difficult as I had expected to leave Dad behind because it really wasn’t "Dad" we were leaving. A brass band had assembled from various different churches, and came along to the cemetery. As they lowered the coffin they played “It Is Well With My Soul” and that was so incredibly beautiful. I was holding up until the crowd around us started singing along, first softly and then with more emotion & volume as more joined in. It took all I had to keep it together. It wasn’t about our loss, it was about the words of that song and the peace that we all can claim through God's grace. God gave us that special moment as a gift. No matter what, it is well with my soul. And it certainly is well with Dad’s!
Here are the words to that famous hymn the story surrounding it's writing:
This hymn was written by Horation Spafford after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the S.S. Ville Du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with another ship, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone." Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
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,
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 blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with 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 no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with 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.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
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Words - Horatio Spafford
Music - Philip Bliss
That is one of my favourite hyms! Your dad is looking down right now smiling on all of you!
ReplyDeletePraise God, Holy and Just. Amen!
ReplyDeleteHi Mo - Remember me?! (Sweetpea from the Turtle!) I check out your blog from time to time (via Jenn's blog) and I just wanted to let you know that I was very touched by this post about your dad. I had tears in my eyes as I read it. I just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you and your family and keeping you in my prayers. With the upcoming holiday season I'm sure you'll miss your dad more than ever - remember all those precious memories you have!! Sending you ((((((hugs))))) across the miles!
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