content.

these past few months have been a rich time of learning more of God and his plan for our lives. with so many unknowns constant in the foreground of our lives, there is nothing we can do but trust God. and, as we are back in the hospital once again, this must be our goal.

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." - john piper

this quote has come to mind over and over. as all we have on this earth and in this life are fleeting, we must be satisfied in God alone.

i've also recently been reminded of Horatio Spafford, and this hymn (emphasis added):

when peace like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
it is well, it is well, with my soul.

though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed His own blood for 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!

for me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
if Jordan above me shall roll,
no pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

but Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
the sky, not the grave, is our goal;
oh, trump of the angel! oh, voice of the Lord!
blessed hope, blessed rest of 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.

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these are the events that transpired in Spafford's life, resulting in this song:

in 1871, his son died at the age of four. shortly after, the great Chicago fire ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the great Chicago fire. while crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, 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.

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oh God, that i might glorify you. because i am satisfied in you.