May
22
2008
Maria Sue Chapman (2003-2008)
We weep with those who weep, grieving, but not as those who have no hope. News from last night:
Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday evening after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.
Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV. . . .
Singer/songwriter Chapman, who recently was inducted into Music City Walk of Fame, is one of contemporary Christian music’s most recognizable and most awarded names.
He and his wife, Mary Beth, have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria was the youngest.
The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah’s Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.
You can donate to Shaohannah’s Hope here.
Update: A blog in memory of Maria has been set up here.
23 Comments
Sorry to hear that brother. I don’t think there can be anything more devestating than losing a little one. My condolences to the Chapman family and especially the young lad who may experience double grief during this time of healing.
This is truly tragic. My hearts and prayers go out to the Chapman family. My the love of God pierce their hearts to help them cope with this devastating event.
My heart just hurts over this news. Will keep them in my prayers.
This is so tragic…for the family..for the older brother. My prayers are with all of them.
i read about this last night on cnn – being a father of three daughters, i cannot even being to imagine the pain. and, especially, the overwhelming feelings of the brother driving the car.
please, please, please do not say this is part of ‘God’s plan’ – God is weeping along with the family, and is working – i believe – to somehow bring even the faintest glimpse of silver to a very, very dark cloud.
SCC – my prayers are with you and your family.
mike rucker
fairburn, georgia, usa
mikerucker.wordpress.com
Thank God this family can still rejoice in the Gospel even though their hearts are broken… we do not grieve as those who have no hope.
Praying for the Chapmans…
general patton:
i hope you’re not the Chapman family’s pastor.
mike rucker
fairburn, georgia, usa
mikerucker.wordpress.com
from the blog set up by the chapmans..
“…these words are unthinkable to type. And yet we trust in a God who was not surprised by this and because of Jesus I am certain through faith in Him we will see Maria again. – Jim Houser (Manager)”
praise be to our god, healer and comforter of broken hearts who knows more than anyone the hurt that comes with the death of a child, but because he does know all things, at all times, is not overcome… because his purposes shall stand…
mark p (and anyone else who stumbles across this blog)
mike rucker is the clown “commentor” on this site
just let him be
great lyrics. wish i’d written them.
but there’s quite a difference between trusting that God is in control and believing that ‘this was a part of his plan.’
of course, you and i are in a time-bound, finite world, trying to understand things from our perspective – things that may not be capable of being understood with our limited minds.
not really arguing with you, just suggesting that God ‘planning’ this would erase any concept of ‘good’ we might share within His communication to us and our responses to Him.
has anyone heard exactly what happened? here in atlanta, a guy fell four floors at turner field at a braves’ game last night. i can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to have been a bystander at that or the Chapman accident. those are places your brain starts to take you, and you find yourself – i do, anyway – pulling back just as it gets too close to the edge of painting the scene in your mind’s eye…
like van morrison sang,
it ain’t why
it ain’t why
it ain’t why
it just is…
mike rucker
fairburn, georgia, usa
mikerucker.wordpress.com
…thanks for the “bump” in rank. How many stars did I merit?
actually, since i could only evaluate you based on the letters you typed, i made you postmaster general patton…
(ta-dum)
thanks for the interchange.
as you were.
mike rucker
fairburn, georgia, usa
mikerucker.wordpress.com
While I hold the same view of God’s sovereignty as Mark, guys please. Every blog is not a forum to pick up the debate. Try to imagine reading a blog article about your daughter’s tragic death and perusing the following comments to find the discussion almost immediately move away from the tragedy to a theological debate. There is certainly a place for these debates, but this is most certainly not the place.
You could email each other.
I am deeply grieved by the news. May God continue strenghtening the Chapman family.
I am praying for, and grieving with in spirit, the Chapman family. I agree with Kenny that this is not the time or place for a debate on the extent of God’s sovereignty. Mike Rucker opened that door by imploring us not to say that this painful event is somehow part of God’s plan. I do think, actually, that the Chapman family believes in God’s sovereign control of all things, as they attend a Reformed church… but whether they believe in it or not, I fervently pray that they experience the healing comfort of God and His people at this time.
I was able to meet Emily (Stephen’s oldest daughter) at a recent conference on orphan ministry. She shared a sweet story about Maria and how absolutely chatterbox she is, full of life and full of questions (just like our five year old). Emily was also excited to be potentially getting engaged in the near future, an event that happened the day of her sister’s death. I can not even imagine what that family has gone through, the mix of grief, anger, and questioning. I have cried a number of times for the Chapman’s, and in that I have found comfort in the fact that our High Priest, Jesus, is weeping along with them, and that He, and only He, can truly feel their pain and loss and bring the comfort that they desperately need right now. I love the fact that we have a Savior who is not far removed from our suffering, but has entered right into it and weeps with us (Jn. 11). I love it that when Mary is grieving at the death of her brother and questioning the Lord, He did not rebuke her or enter into theological dialogue with her about God’s plan in Lazarus’ death (which He clearly had). He entered right into her pain and wept. Beautiful. As my family and I return to Uganda today and as we prepare to re-enter into relationships with many who are weeping over death and AIDS, we rejoice in our God who IS good, who IS in control, and who weeps with his people, even as He unveils His Glory through such suffering, a Glory that always seems to shine the brightest in the darkest places. So, for now, I weep with them and cry out for them to God, and in the days ahead I look forward to seeing how He will be glorified.
Kenny and Christopher,
Thank you for your kind words of admonishment concerning proper timing. My intentions were pure if my method was not.
ditto here, too, though i feel both general patton and i first and foremost acknowledged the suffering of the family.
it’s instances like this that make us all wrestle with not only what we believe but with how we share that understanding with others.
sometimes, not saying anything is probably the best we can do.
physician, heal myself…
mike rucker
fairburn, georgia, usa
mikerucker.wordpress.com
I know the Chapman family and this debate here is neither helpful nor comforting to anyone.
I hope that we all can just remember this hurting family in prayer today and especially the teenage son. I don’t think that is too much to ask… do you?
Here is a wonderful, touching and encouraging post that will focus your thoughts on what is important today.
Jesus Christ, our all in all.
Can anyone post the link to the Piper sermon/biography (I think it was the latter) where he spoke about a foreign missionary’s child being accidently run over by a car (SUV?)? This has really been bugging me, since I clearly remember Piper preached on this exact trajedy several years back.
Thoughts:
He doesn’t know me from Adam, but I had the opportunity to share a meal with Steven, Casting Crowns, and several others a couple years ago. I was impressed that he wasn’t impressed with himself, but was blessed to be able to do what he does so well.
As I pray for him and his family (particularly the son) I specifically ask the Lord to enable them to remember the lyrics and meaning of his songs; and that they uniquely comfort them as they have comforted, challenged, and changed so many. It is his turn now.
Yes, the Christian life is a “Great Adventure.” But, as in war, the adventure often springs horrifying events on us. We may have “Great Expectations,” and we certainly have a loving Abba, and in the midst of trials and tribulations “His Strength is Perfect.”
“When You Are A Soldier” in the army of God there is not “your best life now.” (that’s coming…his daughter is now experiencing her “best life”) After all, there is “More to This Life.”
“Let Us Pray” for the entire family, trusting the Lord will get them through this horrific time. In the midst of tears, anguish, and questions, may they be undergirded by the truth “My Redeemer is Faithful and True.”
And, if not now, eventually, may they be able to see “The Fingerprints of God.” And may he one day be able to again sing “Cinderella.”
Listen when you have the chance – -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W9NWC-z6as
God bless,
Chris
http://chrisschellenberg.com/
I sometimes envy those who see Him before I do. The story breaks my heart. Creation groans. Lord, tarry no more.
“Casting all our care upon Him, for he careth for us.” II. Pt 5:7
As Steven has so often ministered to me and to all of us, may we now be found faithful to lift this precious family up in prayer. May we pray that the Gentle Shepherd, surrounds this hurting family with help, hope and healing! May the present ministry of His Spirit protect and strengthen them and grant grace to go on. Blessings to you, Dr. Bob