Is it well with the child? And she answered, it is well.  2 Kings 4:26

Abigail Grace Riley

April 28, 2001

What Thou Hast given, Thou canst take,

And when Thou wilt new gifts can make.

         All flows from Thee alone;

When Thou didst give it, it was Thine;

When Thou retook’st it, ‘t was not mine.

         Thy will in all be done.

                                                                 John Austin

 

September sun is shining,

the sky is clear and blue.

And so my Lady Abigail,

I’ll write a rhyme for you.

All things have on their happiest smile,

No words their joy can tell,

because they send loves greetings out,

to Lady Abigail.

Author Unknown

 

The child hath but changed a bed in the garden,

and is planted up higher, nearer the sun,

where he shall thrive better than in this out-field moor-ground.

Samuel Rutherford

All these passages & verses have been precious to me over the past 8 years. It is well with my soul. My favorite hymn- Jason McCoy played it on the violin at Abby’s funeral. The John Austin quote was taken from  my much loved, dog-eared copy of Daily Strength For Daily Needs I  recieved as a gift from Mrs. Judy Guess when Abby died. The Lady Abigail quote came from the Pottery Barn Kids catalogue that came in the mail a few days before Abby was born & the Rutherford Quote comes from another beloved volume, The Letters of Samuel Rutherford that was given to me by my dear friend Cheri the day of the funeral. Cheri had marked several letters that were written to women upon the deaths of children. I must admit, I was not in a place to appreciate this at the time. Reading those letters hurt me terribly but The Lord used Rutherford words to cut through my pain and anger and draw me closer to Him. It was a very bittersweet time of painfully honest communion with God.

God has been so faithful & as I sat by the pond this morning reflecting on the goodness and mercy of the Lord this hymn came to mind.

Through all the changing scenes of life,

In trouble and in joy,’The praises of my God shall still

My heart and tongue employ.

Of His deliverance I will boast;

Till all that are distressed

From my example comfort take,

And charm their griefs to rest.

O magnify the Lord with me,

With me exalt His name;

When in distress to Him I called,

He to my rescue came.

The hosts of God encamp around

The dwellings of the just;

Deliverance He affords to all

Who on His succour trust.

O make but trial of His love,

Experience will decide

How blessed are they, and only they,

Who in His truth confide.

Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then

Have nothing else to fear;

Make you His service your delight,

Your wants shall be His care.

                                 Nahum Tate 1625-1715