Sea Billow Sorrows

Watching the waves crash upon the shore here in 2024, words penned over 150 years ago by hymnist Horatio Spafford echo in my mind.

“When peace like a river,
attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

Some may have heard about the grief that riddled Spafford’s life and career with financial losses due fire and deep grief after his four daughters died in a ship wreck. The words to this memorable hymn came from this time of deep hurt.

Of course I had to first also look up the word billow to better understand the refrain as it’s not a common word today.

A billow is a great wave at sea and also any large mass that sweeps along or rises like waves of the sea, typically clouds, smoke or steam.

Fitting. The word captures both the visual of the water and the grandeur of grief.

For a moment, when sitting seaside, the hurts and heartache fade away. In my mind I wonder, is this a glimpse of heaven and the peace that resides there? As the waves crash beyond view there is mystery in the unknown. There is peace and a presence that changes once you leave the shore.

It’s not that the sea wash away the grief but it does offer an element of healing - healing that continues to be needed.

It’s early morning as I write this and the crowds haven’t yet appeared with their baggage (literal and figurative). I wonder how many other people will walk this shore grieving someone or something changing in their life.

There is hope, rest assured that extends past the shore. The hope doesn’t wash away the hurt but can provide an anchor for peace.

In in tension and emotions, trusting God might seem impossible, yet like the ocean waves I believe God is with us constantly reminding us of his love. It’s like he is gently beach waving at us - ha! - saying, “I’m here.”

Maybe he is simply asking us to leave even a piece of our sorrow by the sea so that he can continually find peace within our soul as Psalm 73 suggests:

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” - Psalm 73:23-26 (ESV)