Mark Twain was an acclaimed author,
A renowned lecturer and a
Complex man.
He was extremely wealthy, but
Became bankrupt.
He rebounded and was secure again,
But when he lost his daughter he
Lost any reverence he may have once
Had for God.
He railed against the Deity whom he
Said did not exist.
He became brooding and bitter and
Died a broken man.
During the same era another man
Faced a similar tragedy.
He lost everything in the Chicago fire,
And, later, when his four daughters crossed the
Atlantic, they were shipwrecked and drowned.
But Horatio Spafford's sorrow moved him to
Write "It Is Well with My Soul," a song that is
Still treasured today.
The words are etched on Min's and my
Tombstone.
One man turned from God.
The other leaned on Him.
What made the difference?
I wish I knew.
But I do know this.
Tribulation will come to all of us,
And if I choose to run to God rather
Than away from Him I will find solace in
My spirit, and my soul will be well.