The Connection Corner

God’s Peace Runs Deep

Daily Devotional, Lauren Kitchens-Steward, Stories About Songs

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Some heartaches do not heal with time. Some settle in like fog—thick, disorienting, and slow to lift.

Horatio Spafford knew that kind of grief.

He and his wife had built a full life in Chicago. He was a respected attorney. They were raising four daughters in a home filled with purpose, joy, and love. Church friends became extended family. Laughter came easy, and life was steady.

Until it was not.

The Great Chicago Fire tore through the city and burned up most of his investments. The financial blow was deep, but survivable. Horatio believed God would carry them through. So, when the chance came for a trip to Europe—some time to breathe, to rest—he sent his wife and girls ahead while he wrapped up business.

Then came the telegram from his wife with just two words: “Saved. Alone.”

Their ship had gone down. His daughters were gone.

When Horatio boarded a vessel to meet his wife, the captain called him to the deck as they passed over the waters where his daughters had drowned. Somehow, in that dark space, Horatio felt a deep peace.

He returned to his cabin and began to write.

When peace, like a river, attended my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

That hymn was not written by a man who had moved on. It came from a man who had met God in the storm. Maybe your storm is not loud or visible. Maybe it looks like keeping your head up at work while your heart quietly breaks, or it looks like showing up for others while wondering who sees you.

Dear one, you do not have to explain your grief for it to be real.

You only need to know this: God is not shaken by your storm. He stays steady. So, if your soul feels unsteady today, you can still say it.

Even here. Even now.

It is well.

LYRICS

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

It is well (it is well)
with my soul (with my soul)
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!

Words: Horatio G. Spafford, 1873.
Tune: Ville du Havre, Philip P. Bliss

MODERN VERSION OF IT IS WELL

June 1, 2025/by Lauren Kitchens-Steward

Help in the Deep End

Daily Devotional, David Hall

John 14:26 – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

Childhood summers invited us into a world of diving headfirst into discovery and exploring uncharted waters. My favorite summertime adventures were spent at First Place, the community pool, where the sun blazed, and the water offered sweet relief.

The pool was enormous, like an Olympic stadium, complete with waterslides that twisted and turned. I remember the thrill of attending countless swimming parties there, devouring cake and gulping down Capri-Suns.

As a kid, passing the swim test was a rite of passage. You could not swim alone until you proved your skills. Because of this, my dad was my constant companion.

He would patiently help me practice treading water while building my confidence. He set safe distances for me to swim to him from the pool wall.

His support gave me the boldness to face the deep end and attempt the swim test. I knew the lifeguards were on deck, and Dad was there cheering me on.

At the whistle blast, I propelled myself forward. I remember crawling through the water and finding a rhythm. Before I knew it, I touched the wall on the other side and knew I had passed.

Reflecting on that day, I realize God is a lot like my dad in this story. Just as Dad encouraged me, God does the same in our spiritual journeys. The Holy Spirit, often called “The Helper,” is with us, encouraging us to take it to the next level.

So whether you are doggie paddling or confidently doing the breaststroke, allow the Holy Spirit to walk with you into the deep end of your faith. You might just find yourself jumping off the metaphorical high dive with confidence.

May 31, 2025/by David Hall

When Trust Feels Scary

Daily Devotional, Sarah Hall

Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

There is something wonderfully chaotic about a hotel pool on a family vacation. The scent of chlorine and sunscreen mixes with the sound of kids laughing, adults chatting, and someone always yelling, “No running!”

That was our scene one afternoon at the beach. The sun was hot, the water was cool, and all of us—siblings, spouses, nephews, and grandparents—were soaking up that kind of joy you can’t plan. Just being together.

My nephews were at the shallow end, full of energy and daring. They would stand on the steps, and then swim out to whichever adult happened to be closest.

Except for the youngest.

He just started swimming lessons, and you could tell he was still learning what he could do. But when his dad got in the water, suddenly the water didn’t seem so scary.

That little boy launched himself off the step like it was the Olympics. His arms flailed, his legs kicked, and water splashed everywhere, but he knew exactly where he was going. More importantly, he trusted whose arms would always catch him if something went wrong.

Watching him, I realized how much I want to live like that.

There are moments when God asks us to step forward—into something new, unknown, maybe even intimidating. And our instinct is to hesitate, calculate the risks, stay safe on the steps. But if we really knew His character… if we really believed He would catch us… we would swim.

So what would it look like to trust God like a five-year-old? To believe, without hesitation, that He is there—and that He knows exactly how to catch you?

The water may feel deep, but trust me, He will not let you sink.

May 30, 2025/by Sarah Hall