Welcome.

As so often happens, a beautiful and beneficial something is birthed by an unfortunate tragedy. Though there are so many somethings, the one to which I wish to make specific reference today is Louisa Stead’s lovely lyrics, Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus.

After a devastating happening, Louisa wrote,

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

Just to take Him at His Word

Just to rest upon His promise

Just to know, ‘Thus saith the Lord’

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus

Oh, for grace to trust Him more.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Him

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend

And I know that He is with me

Will be with me to the end

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus

Oh, for grace to trust Him more

Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus

Oh, for grace to trust Him more

Oh, for grace to trust Him more.

Here’s the heartbreaking backstory:

Born in England, Louisa migrated to Ohio in America at the age of twenty-one. Sensitive to spiritual promptings and blessed with a servant’s heart, this good soul wanted to travel to China and be a missionary there. A sickly disposition prohibited that dream. Instead, she married and birthed a girl whom she and her husband named Lily.

One day this little threesome family traveled to Long Island, New York to enjoy a day at the beach. All was well until frantic cries were heard out in the ocean. Louisa’s husband (he must have been as good a soul as Louisa), without concern for his own safety, went to the rescue. As too often happens in rescues of this kind, the boy made it more difficult, and both drowned. In total horror, Lily and her mother watched the situation go from desperate to unthinkable.

What also went absolutely desperate was their financial situation. They became impoverished. One day, surrounded by empty circumstances, they sat together at their table. Louisa took Lily’s hand as Louisa was voice for their thankful prayer, one that praised God even in the midst of their meager circumstances. As Louisa prayed, there came a knock at their door. Kindly situated on their front porch was an envelope full of money and warm food.

That night as little Lily slept, faith filled Louisa penned the words to ‘Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus.

And trust in Him she did.

Some months later, Louisa and Lily paraded off to Africa to perform missionary work there. In South Africa, Louisa married again and spent her remaining thirty-seven years working and serving and loving in three separate African nations. Her Lily grew up and married; both Lily and her husband devoted their lives, as life-long missionaries, to God and His African children.

Acapeldridge sings this song masterfully.

For your enjoyment:

Unto all the world: ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus!