It is well with my soul.

My friend’s Rachel and Mark Thiesen lost their Children’s Grandpa, Mark’s Dad, Louis Thiesen, this past Tuesday. I attended his celebration of life service today. I was touched and moved by the life of this man. My heart ached and celebrated for his family as they miss him but know that he is in heaven with his Saviour.
Mr. Thiesen died suddenly as the result of a massive head injury from a fall from a ladder, he was 81 years old. Though I didn’t know him well it was clear that he lived his life, right to the end, with a strong soul, body, mind and voice. His family and wife have peace knowing that he lived his life close to the Lord. We were all touched to know that even the morning of his passing, as he often did, he started his day in prayer. What an example for us all, to live a life rich in spirit.
Just two days before his passing, Louis, read scripture during the Sunday service at his church, Sardis Community Church, the church I grew up in. I think the verses he read were so meaningful, especially considering that it was his last public statement. Deuteronomy 6: “These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.”
One of the most touching parts of the service was hearing the voices of Mark and Rachel’s little boys sing a song that they would sing with their Grandpa. They are only
5 ½ , 4 and 2 ½ , and they sang together and then each a little solo. They sang, “Oh, How I love Jesus, Oh, How I love Jesus…because He first loved me.” What a wonderful testimony of the generations of faith in their family.
The service ended with the hymn, “It is well with my soul”, sung by Eileen Wiens, who was a soloist I heard so much as a child in church, but hadn’t heard in probably over 20 years. It especially touched me as I’d just spoken this very morning at the MOMS group at church, and quoted, “It is well with my soul”, in my talk to the ladies.
I was reassured today, knowing that it is well with my soul in this life and in the here after.