For quite some time, I have enjoyed the music and ministry of Steven Curtis Chapman. While we have not met, his words have encouraged me many a time. My little Emma, the one who loves horses, often sings along with me Steven’s hit, “Saddle Up Your Horses.” I have been touched when dark days have come with his ballad, “In His Eyes.” When we are in a crazy mood, my older children and I enjoy singing “Dive” or “The Walk” at the top of our lungs (it helps that Steven and I are both tenors). And when I am in a romantic mood, I croon out the lyrics to “I Will Be Here” to my bride, Stacy.
But the passion of Steven Curtis Chapman is not only in his songs, it is in his life. He has put his faith into action, adopting three children from China and establishing the ministry Shaohannah’s Hope to help others share their hearts and homes with those most would forget.
I am sure you have heard the tragic story by now. Steven Curtis Chapman’s five year old daughter Maria was taken into Heaven yesterday in a heartbreaking auto accident. As a father of precious daughters, my heart goes out to Steven and his wife, MaryBeth, and their children.
Steven wrote a song about his daughter, Maria, called Dancing with Cinderella. Having danced with many a daughter over the years, I can understand the love he had for Maria. Steven loved his daughter, as reflected in this poignant video below. I see the same joy in Maria that I see in my Emma. And I see the same love for a daughter in Steven as I feel in my heart right now.
Yet, his love for Maria was not greater than His Lords. Jesus not only did love Maria, He loves Maria. And He is dancing with her now.
Pray for Steven. Pray for MaryBeth. Pray for Maria’s brothers and sisters.
Very well put. Thank you for your thoughts and for your ministry. I appreciate your “truth in love” kind of teaching. I join you in this prayer for the Chapmans.
By: thekeels on May 23, 2008
at 5:17 am
We miss you all already! Among other things, we have this in common- a love for good lyrics. Mr. Chapman and been incredibly blessed. I can truly imagine what they are all feeling as those same, deep emotions are still rather raw in my own life. We will continue to pray for their family as so many have done for us.
By the way, love the picture of W and G. And, thanks again for the hospitality.
By: Heather Davis on May 23, 2008
at 8:08 am
I have just finished reading a tremendous book entitled Trusting God Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges. It should be required reading for every believer!
I read this book as my father was dying of pancreatic cancer. Bridges clear teaching on the sovereignty of God helped me through that incredibly difficult time. I learned to trust God, and continue to do so. It is not easy, as my sinful nature tends to want to wallow in self-pity and sadness, but through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, I continue to learn to trust.
This paragraph from Bridge’s book came to mind…
“Let me emphasize that trusting God does not mean we do not experience pain. It means we believe that God is at work through the occasion of our pain for our ultimate good. It means we work back through the Scriptures regarding His sovereignty, wisdom and goodness and ask Him to use those Scriptures to bring peace and comfort to our hearts. It means, above all, that we do not sin against God by allowing distrustful and hard thoughts about Him to hold sway on our minds. It will often mean that we may have to say, “God I don’t understand, but I trust You.””
Praying the Chapmans will trust Him in the midst of such terrible pain.
Trish
By: Trish on May 23, 2008
at 3:41 pm