In the summer of 2000 I sat down at the piano and penned a plea for God to “Come and Make it Well.” I had questioned my faith and was ashamed. As I wrote I was reminded of a famous hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”, and the writer’s faith amidst the horrific loss of his children. With my lyrical confession complete, my hands began to play the old hymn in response, then back to an ending of my own, where forgiveness embraces the faint of heart.
Make It Well With My Soul
Come O sting of shame for questioning my faith, the penitence has flown.
Tears of salt must pour on the valley floor, for repentance to swell in my soul.
To think you’d ever find me here, sinking in these wounds of fear,
but you know my frame – O God.
Somewhere near my heart, where you won the war a thousand years ago.
False accusers came and built the walls again, but as if you didn’t know,
Come and make it well with my soul.
Make it well with my soul, make it well with my soul.
Make it well, make it well with my soul.
*Insert verse one and chorus of “It Is Well With My Soul”.
Run forgiveness run, down the drawbridge comes,
for your Spirit to dwell in my soul. ©Cindy Palin/2000
You can read about Horatio Spafford’s story, lyricist of “It Is Well With My Soul”, at
cindysouljourney 