Stories Behind Popular Hymns: Gaither Homecomingنموونە

‘Tis So Sweet

By the end of her life, Louisa Stead had served faithfully as a missionary to Africa, her husband and daughter both fellow ministers of the gospel. But the journey from her initial calling in Dover, England, to her final ministry in Zimbabwe was filled with twists and turns, orchestrated in such a way as only God can do. Louisa began feeling called to foreign missions as early as her teen years, and only had that confirmed when she traveled to America in her early twenties. Her heart was set on China, but God had other plans. Deemed too ill to travel overseas, Louisa settled down in the U.S., marrying and having a baby girl. Then a few years later, Louisa and her little family were picnicking at the beach when a young boy began to drown in the ocean. Louisa’s husband rushed into the water to rescue him, but was unsuccessful and drowned, himself, all while Louisa and her little girl watched. It was then—when she was in the depths of her grief and pain—that Louisa Stead wrote, “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!”

Much like the apostle Paul, Louisa Stead learned that no matter her circumstances, she could face all things through Jesus Christ (Phil. 4:11-13). Rather than become embittered to the Lord for all of her dashed dreams and hardships, she pressed in to the Lord, knowing that He is the only safe place in the midst of life’s storms. Eventually, Louisa did go overseas, but it was to Africa, not Asia, that God finally brought her. She first ministered in South Africa, where she met her second husband. Although they had to return to America because of her failing health, she again rallied and they went this time to Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe). She carried out the rest of her days there, a living testimony to her own lyrics and the most vital truth a Christian can learn: “I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, precious Jesus, Savior, Friend. And I know that Thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end.”