The year: around 1880
The place: a sunny beach on Long Island Sound in New York
The event: A picnic lunch for a young family-- Mr. Stead, his wife Louisa, and their 4-year-old daughter, Lily.
Cries for help interrupted their picnic and Mr. Stead charged out into the water after a drowning boy. Sadly, both the boy and his rescuer were pulled under and drowned before the eyes of Louisa and Lily.
In the days that followed, as Louisa struggled with the heart-rending Why? of grief, the meaningful words of this hymn began to flow from her heart, to her pen, and to millions of people throughout the world.
Now that you know the story behind them, I hope the words to this hymn take on added significance. And isn't it amazing what impact the song of a young widow can have on her world?
Call to me and I will answer you
and tell you great and unsearchable things
you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3
I love that hymn, and to think that hymn flowed from the heart of a widow! Thanks for sharing this story!
ReplyDeleteThe melody and lyrics are so soothing and comforting. I just came across this hymn today and I think I will be listening to it often when online before bedtime. It's truly lovely. I'm so thankful, Ferree, that these posts are here to discover.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful you've found out how to discover them Sheila. I appreciate your comments today on the Meaningful Gifts for Widows post too. Blogs are intended to be a "live" conversation and interaction, always timely. Hugs to you!
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