Today I started a new curriculum for homeschool. It's called KONOS. I heard about it from a fellow homeschool mom and she LOVES it. Because I was totally unhappy with the current stuff I was using I thought why not give it a try.
Part of the suggested requirements is to teach you children certain hymns and the stories from which they were written. This week we are learning about trust. Within that character quality we are also learning about floating and flying. This units hymn is "It is well".
I had just discussed with the kids what it means to trust in God completely, which led into the story behind the hymn. It was penned in 1873 by Horatio Spafford. I begin by telling the kids that he was a lawyer who had a good business but lost it all in the Great Chicago Fire. Shortly after the loss of his business he decided to plan a trip to Europe. He sent his wife and 4 daughters ahead because he was delayed with business details. While sailing to Europe the boat collided with another and sank rapidly. He then received a telegram from his wife saying "SAVED ALONE". Heartbroken he sailed to Europe to meet his wife. As he crossed over the sea where his daughters had been lost God gave him the words to the hymn.
Then I start to sing the first verse for the kids so we can all learn it together. Mind you the words are definitely from the 1800's and certainly foreign to the kids.
Right before the chorus I look up and my sweet 5 year old Grace is weeping!
I instantly stopped singing and asked her what was wrong. She's embarrassed that I noticed (how could I not?) and says she's not crying her eyes are just watering! I wrapped my arms around her and told her it was okay to cry that the story was very sad, but that the man trusted in God even through one of the saddest moments of his life! She looks up at me and says, "I don't know why, I just have to cry when you sing that song".
My heart just broke for my sweet sensitive daughter! She was so moved by the story and the song, but she still so young she doesn't even understand why she's crying over it!
When I explained the story to the kids, I had forgotten the name of the man, so I went in to google it. I then read that Spafford joined his wife in Europe and had three more kids, (again losing a son in infancy). It then says that he, his wife, their baby Bertha, and newborn baby GRACE moved to Jerusalem to start a mission for the poor!
It was so awesome to be able to tell my Gracie that there was a happy ending to the story. That the man got to have more daughters and even named one of them Grace.
I thank God for days like today. I love my daughter more than words can say. I pray that I can be ever so careful with her tender heart as I raise her. Maybe someday she too will pen such a inspirational song.
5 comments:
Never NO never forget to remind her that she is so sensitive to Gods grace! God has given the ability to have much grace. She will look foolish to some because of it,but she is A WOMAN OF GRACE and will win multitudes. Jenna you are blessed today for God has shown you your daughters gift and now it is your responsibility to raise her in it1
I love you so
Kelley
I have found your blog through MamaKat's. This post brought me to tears (I guess I'm like Grace, really sensitive when it comes to Jesus). It was wonderful to read this, and I will be back. :)
How precious! This is one of my favorite hymns!
Gods Grace is so adequate for us, no matter how little our nag, or problem may seem. To God it is ALL HIS concern..
Love the pictures displayed, and I will keep you all in prayer.
Diana DiConti
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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