Maria Sue Chapman, R.I.P. (2003-2008)
I’ve been thinking about this tragedy all day and ask you to set aside politics again for a moment. Contemporary Christian singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman’s five-year-old adopted daughter, Maria Sue, died Wednesday when her teen-age brother accidentally ran over her as he backed the family’s car out of their driveway. Chapman’s music and life have been inspired by, and centered on, faith and family. His oldest daughter, Emily, encouraged Chapman and his wife to adopt after having three of their own natural-born children; the couple adopted three beautiful girls from China. They performed missionary work in Chinese orphanages and established a charity named after their first adopted daughter, Shoahannah. At the time the accident occurred, the family “was celebrating the engagement of the oldest daughter Emily Chapman, and were just hours away from a graduation party marking Caleb Chapman’s completion of high school. Now, they are preparing to bury a child who blew out 5 candles on a birthday cake less than 10 days ago.” Maria Sue had just graduated from church preschool.
Fans across the Internet and around the globe are sending sympathy and support. The Chapman family set up a blog tribute to Maria Sue here to share their memories. If you’re a parent of young ones like me, you won’t be able to watch this wonderful video–of Chapman and the adorable five-year-old daughter he must now bury as they washed dishes together and clowned around together in front of the camera–without breaking down and thinking of a gazillion goofy moments you’ve shared just like this with your kids:
And another:
Chapman’s latest album, “This Moment,” released last fall, is about the need to slow down, prioritize, and appreciate your God-given blessings in the here and now. Here’s Chapman in an interview a few months ago talking about one of the album’s hit singles, “Cinderella:”
“Cinderella” was the first song I wrote on this journey. I went to give my youngest girls a bath one night, and it was right around the time of big meetings with the record label where I have to play them what I had written up to that point. I was really stressed and needed to get back to writing, but also needed to spend time with the girls, so I was frustrated and irritated. I told them to take the bath quickly, but of course they wanted to play and I didn’t have much time. I finally got them into bed and told them to pray … fast: “Just pray for the immediate family and no orphans tonight!” (laughing)
So finally they got to bed, and once I was alone [in my writing room], it’s like God had just two words for me: “Emily Chapman,” my 21-year-old daughter who’s getting ready to graduate college. And my heart turned straight to guilt because I didn’t want to rush through these moments any more. I sat down that night and it was the easiest song I’ve ever written. The next morning, I brought it to the record company meeting, even though I didn’t think it was quite done. But after I played it and looked up, everyone was crying and sobbing. I guess it connected! I recorded the song just as I played it that day.
Chapman taped a special acoustic performance of “Cinderella” for adoption blogs and posted it to YouTube recently:
The lyrics:
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I’m sittin’ here wearin’ the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It’s been a long day and there’s still work to do,
She’s pulling at me saying “Dad I need you!
There’s a ball at the castle and I’ve been invited and I need to practice my dancin’
“Oh please, daddy, please!”
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
‘Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don’t wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she’ll be gone
She says he’s a nice guy and I’d be impressed
She wants to know if I’d approve of a dress
She says “Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancin’”
“Oh please, daddy, please!”
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
‘Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don’t wanna miss even one song,
‘Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she’ll be gone
She will be gone.
Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowin’ and tellin’ us all they had planned
She says “Dad, the wedding’s due six months away
And I need to practice my dancin’
“Oh please, daddy please!”
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
‘Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don’t wanna miss even one song,
(even one song)
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she’ll be gone
Heart-achingly prophetic in a way he never could have imagined.
I have no personal connections to the Chapman family, but their plight–and Chapman’s message of living in the moment–resonate strongly with me. Last fall, when I was sucked into a whirlwind of non-stop work and travel that kept me away from my kids for long stretches, I got my own wake-up call and near tragedy. After rushing home one evening from one of endless TV appearances in D.C. to try and see my kids before they went to sleep, I pulled up into my driveway on a hilltop, dashed out of the car, and ran up to the house. My now-four-year-old son, who had been waiting and watching for me in the living room window, started jumping up and down, pointing outside. I thought he was just happy to see me. He was trying to tell me that the car was rolling down the steep hill. In my perpetually harried state, I had forgotten to put on the parking brake. By the time I reached the driveway again, the Subaru wagon had slid to the bottom and crashed into a tree–the only thing separating it from our neighbors’ driveway and front lawn.
Thank God–and I mean it, thank God–no one was hurt. The crash took out a huge chunk of the Subaru’s tail. I didn’t get it fixed; it’s a permanent reminder of What Might Have Been. It was also the moment I definitively re-ordered my life. As I mentioned to you in February in another reflection on politics, perspective, and priorities: “I’ve learned over the years to work to live, not to live to work. It took time to learn that lesson. And it required making some tough (and not so tough) personal and professional choices. Best decisions I’ve ever made.”
You can see why Chapman’s single, “Miracle of the Moment,” hits home:
The lyrics:
It’s time for letting go
All of our “if onlys”
‘Cause we don’t have a time machine
And even if we did
Would we really want to use it
Would we really want to go change everything
‘Cause we are who and where and what we are for now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about
So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment
There’s only One who knows
What’s really out there waiting
And all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He’s out there waiting
To Him the future’s history
And He has given us a treasure called right now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about
So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment
And if it brings you tears
Then taste them as they fall
Let them soften your heart
And if it brings you laughter
Then throw your head back
And let it go
Let it go, yeah
You gotta let it go
And listen to your heartbeat
And breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment
And breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment
Please pray for the Chapman family, if you pray. Better yet, take Chapman’s message and music to heart. On Friday morning, I’ll be savoring every moment of my four-year-old son’s preschool “graduation.” He’s performing a little violin solo and I’ll be the proudest, happiest mom in the room. This weekend, it’s more horse-riding for my seven-year-old daughter, another birthday party, a visit with friends from out of town, movie nights and a Wii Fit marathon with the family, and a pause to give thanks on Memorial Day to all those who have served and sacrificed for our bountiful freedoms.
So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment
***
You can donate to Maria’s Memorial Fund here.
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Trackbacks
- Free In Idaho! » Blog Archive » A Man Knows Not His Time
- Cassy Fiano » R.I.P., Maria Sue Chapman
- Macsmind
- Buzz Blog » Blog Archive » Tragedy strikes Steven Curtis Chapman’s family
- Dave Lucas' Notes
- Chapman Tragedy « Kevin’s Korner
- Maria Sue Chapman (2003 - 2008) « Children’s Ministry and Culture
- His Strength Is Perfect « Blog Entry « Daniel J. Summers
- Steven Curtis Chapman’s Loss « That’s Elbert With An E
- R.I.P. Maria Sue Chapman « Firearms & Freedom
- Steven Curtis Chapman’s 5 year old Daughter killed in a tragic accident…. « In Pursuit of the Saviour
- Skilletfan-My first blog
- Tears In My Eyes « Tizona’s Weblog
- Maria Sue Chapman, RIP | BitsBlog
- A terrible family tragedy · Altitude
- Michelle Malkin » “See, dad, it’s OK.”
- Little Lives and Moments | Euphoric Reality
- [– Path of My Life –] :: Cinderella :: June :: 2008
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Beautiful post, Michelle. Congratulations to the graduate!
God bless the Chapman family.
May God be with the Chapman family during this awful awful time…Little Miss Maria is in His arms.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Chapmans right now.
Tragic…it just breaks my heart.
When I was a toddler, I put the family car in neutral when my family was getting my little brother. Down the hill I went.
It’s amazing how many close calls the average child has. Whether it be the car, or the time my little brother needed his stomach pumped after eating all of the mushrooms in out forest of a backyard or what have you. The close calls are so happenstance that we forget they’re close calls.
And then something like this happens and reminds you. And that’s heartbreaking.
When I first heard this, I prayed immediately for the entire Chapman family. But I especially held up in prayer her brother… who reportedly was at the wheel at the time of the incident.
God says in Hebrews “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Thank you Ms. Malkin for your words and memories you shared in this thread.
May He bless and keep the entire Chapman family tonight.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Chapman family.
A good lesson for us all. One of your best threads, Michelle. Thank you.
Steven Curtis Chapman has been a favorite singer of mine for about 15 years. His concerts are filled with stories of his children. I remember the first concert of his I attended had funny stories about his toddler boys~who are now teens. If you listen to SCC’s music and interviews he is one of the most genuine people. Someone you feel like you could run into at the grocery store (buying dish detergent LOL)
The son that was driving is going to need so much prayer right now. Mary Beth and Steven need prayer in how to talk to their son with grace while they grieve for the daughter they lost.
A tragedy for sure.
I forgot to mention that I gave my boys extra tight hugs this morning. They just looked at me wondering why the extra tight/long hugs. I just watched them eat breakfast wondering when the last time was that I just sat and watched them. Enjoyed them being silly instead of running around getting other things done.
Wow that’s heavy. I often wonder why some of the best the human race has to offer pass on, while scum still roam free.
my wife sings along with him (his CDs, actually) all the time..
very sad about his daughter..
I will pray for the family..
I cannot fathom what Mr.Chapman and his family must be going through at this hour.
This kind of tragedy does not discriminate rich vs. poor, Christian vs. Atheist, nor Mom and Dad vs. single mom struggling to raise kids alone. But it hurts all the more, when a little angel is taken from someone of such goodness, decency, faith and uncommon character and talent.
I have a 7 year old, and I’d rather be in HELL than have any harm come to him. Almighty God lets us live our lives and lets our free will, liberty and freedom create certain fates that we must accept whether we like it or not. Mr.Chapman my deepest sympathies and my strongest prayers are with you and your family at this hour. Your beloved Maria Sue is now entrusted to the Lord Jesus Christ until such time as you can be at her side again. I’m sure you know this, but my heart is nonetheless broken for you and your loss. Mr.Chapman, I am a devout Chritian and Catholic. I too am a lifelong musician, guitar player and I too sing.
I promise that before the weekend is over, that I will borrow some of your work from my wife, and I will learn, play, sing and dedicate at least one of your songs through my guitar and voice, or my piano and voice to Maria Sue and Almighty God. And to you and your wife!
God bless you, and God bless and protect children everywhere. Children are truly proof of God and his greatness and love.
What an unspeakable tragedy. My prayers go out to the Chapman family.
As a father and grandfather I can only give my deepest sympathy’s to this family of obviously very loving people. God Bless, and God Rest Maria’s soul–give strength to the family–no one is to blame.
My heart cries for the entire family and especially for Maria’s teen-aged brother…
Love,
CS
Sometimes prays are all that can be given, and sometimes they are the best thing to give. For what it is worth, I will certainly keep these people in my prayers.
The little one who passed away looks alot like my friend and former ballroom dance instructor when she was that little-she too was an adoptee from mainland China like the Chapman girl (but born in 1986)…I am haunted by the resemblance…
My prayers for the Chapaman family in their time of sorrow.
Michelle, All I can add to this post is “Amen”. Your words are so eloquent.
I’m numbed with a million thoughts right now. My most pressing thought (and hope) is that the young man behind the wheel quickly learns to accept the love and support that will save his life through all of his turmoil.
Secondly, I hope and pray that little Maria Sue realized as much love, joy and wonderment in her five years that many of us spend an entire lifetime searching for. I am certain, through intercession, that the Chapman’s little angel will be as watchful a protector of her earthly, adoptive family as they were of her.
Thirdly, I pray that the entire Chapman family discovers the meaning and reason for the gift of Maria Sue’s short life, with the least amount of anguish that is humanly possible.
Lastly, I’m thankful for the heart that you put into this report, Michelle. To date, this is the most moving story I have read on your site.
I’m reminded of some wisdom lent to me last summer. Having lost my father, I was lamenting an after thought that I wasn’t able to spend every living moment with him before he was gone.
Then someone suggested that if I strongly felt that way, I should honor the sentiment by focusing that kind of attention on those who I still have in my life, while I still can.
I’ve been trying to do this ever since.
I’ve been a fan of the Chapmans since childhood, and I was stunned at the news. In many ways, they lost two children yesterday – sweet little Maria, and their son, who will never, ever be the same again.
Sometimes I really don’t understand God.
But I do know that he knows more than I do. It’s a lesson that Chapman wrote about in a song called “God is God.” The first four lines are breathtaking in their relevance here. I’ve played the song several times since I heard the news, and prayed for them each time.
And the pain falls like a curtain
On the things I once called certain
And I have to say the words I fear the most
I just don’t know
And the questions without answers
Come and paralyze the dancer
So I stand here on the stage afraid to move
Afraid to fall, oh, but fall I must
On this truth that my life has been formed from the dust
God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting
God is God and I am man
So I’ll never understand it all
For only God is God
And the sky begins to thunder
And I’m filled with awe and wonder
‘Til the only burning question that remains
Is who am I
Can I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without God giving it to me
He is first and last before all that has been
Beyond all that will pass
Oh, how great are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge
How unsearchable for to Him and through
Him and from Him are all things
So let us worship before the throne
Of the One who is worthy of worship alone
Michelle, you never cease to amaze me! When I dropped ya the tip on Hamilton Jordan I expected that you’d hit the net with it virtually instantly but nary a word! This, though is something I never expected to see on MM.com! I’m amazed and very pleased to see it believe me! My wife’s and my prayers are with Mr. Chapman and his famly and have been since we heard the news yesterday! We know that Maria is in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father, and we know the Chapmans also know that too! I thank you for such a wonderful post, too Michelle! Your heart is as big as the whole outdoors!
This is a sad story.
It is too bad you cannot adjust the webpage layout so we don’t have to look at pictures of The Soup Nazi, John McCain, Ted Kennedy, Deadbeat Democrap Superdelegate, La Raza, Guns and Gas, a Scarry Mime, a Senatorial Pig, Exxon, a Blue Tongue Polar Bear, a Scarry Clown, Indiana Jones, AIDS, forclosure, Hillary Clinton, The Night of the Living Dead…er…Amnesty, M. Ahmedinejad, and B.H. Obama while reading it.
It is a rather sharp contrast, and, from an admittedly morbid perspective, sure doesn’t make it seem like she will be missing much.
Thank you for sharing this, Michelle.
“My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.”
Psalm 139:50
“When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
First verse of It Is Well with My Soul by Horatio Spafford
Beautiful post. How absolutely painful for the family, especially Maria’s older brother. Prayers for all especially him.
This song, by another Christian artist, is a perfect fit for this tragic situation (video is unrelated and silly but the gorgeous song is by Ginny Owens).
My goodness, such a cutie. How terrible for the family.
If one can’t set aside politics for something like this, one is not human.
Maria’s with the Lord, it’s the family I am praying for, especially the young son who must look to the Lord for his salvation, for his guilt to assuaged. God bless him, for the grief must be overwhelming for him and his family.
to be assuaged, that is. Wish I’d learn “preview”!
I am praying for this family, that their faith in Jesus will find them peace and comfort now and in the days to come.
Michelle, thank you for the message of getting priorities straight.
There are times when you need to focus and remember the moment with your loved ones, as it may never come again.
May God the Father Almighty rest Maria Sue’s Soul and Comfort her family.
In our darkest hours, God guides us and comforts us. Cherish, Love, Pray.
My prayers are with this lovely family. One of my favorite videos of his is “When Love Takes You In”. I do believe this little gift from God is one of the children in the video after he first adopted her. I seem to remember he wrote this song for her. Watch this & be moved and blessed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=demRHgul2Zk
Father in Heaven, may your peace and strength be with Steven and his family. May Your Love sustain them. And may Your Words live within them. Amen.
This story is tragic. I first read about it yesterday morning on a local news station’s site here in Tennessee, after just visiting my sister-in-law in Williamson County where the Chapman’s home is.
May God give them peace with the knowledge that Maria Sue is in Heaven and looking down on them. For some big tough guy, like I am believed to be, I am sitting here with tears welling up in my eyes thinking about this tragic loss of a young innocent life and thinking of my own children, especially my youngest that is just slightly older than Maria Sue. With the hustle and bustle of life, as many of us know it today, I surely don’t spend enough time with him hor his older sister.
Michelle, thank you and God Bless you for posting such a thoughtful piece. I wish every critic of yours (are you listening, Howard?) would see beyond politics now and again.
My heart breaks for the Chapmans, yet I also see how wonderfully selfless they are in requesting donations to Shoahannah’s Fund, assisting other families in their adoption process, in lieu of flowers. And I am sure they are keeping in mind the many families who have lost their only children in the China earthquake – many of whom are probably aching for the other children like Maria Sue Chapman they would have had to give up under China’s one-child policy.
I saw SCC at the Focus On The Family 25th anniversary celebration at Denver’s Pepsi Center (yes, the same site as the DNC soon) several years ago. He showed video of Shoahanna’s arrival and the impact it made on his family. He needs our prayers now.
I am taking a few hours off from my night job tonight to introduce my 8-yr old to an American hero, Apollo 13’s Jim Lovell, at a presentation in Denver tonight. It will be worth every moment, especially in the car, where we listen to artists like Steven Curtis Chapman almost exclusively.
Beautiful post, Michelle. I am not as familiar with Steven Curtis Chapman’s work as I am with Amy Grant or Michael W. Smith, but he always has been so sincere and admirable when I have seen him in interviews. I do remember his little foray into acting in the Christmas movie, The Christmas Child, which has an adoption theme; it is a sweet film. God have mercy on his family.
Thanks for posting this, Michelle. My heart was just broken yesterday when I heard this news. Thank God that young teenage brother has a loving and supportive family. It will be so hard, but he will get through this with the grace of God.
I bawled watching the videos of little Maria. My niece Emily is adopted from China and is so precious to our family. She is a true blessing from God.
Everyone hug your kids a little tighter today and thank God for all the blessings in your life.
The last thing a parent wants to face is the loss of a child. That is so tragic, and the brother must be going through his own personal hell.
I can’t imagine what the family is going through, but I hope they find a way to cope with their loss.
Wow, this was a tough post to read this early in the morning before the coffee has kicked in. With my daughter just completing high school this week, and reading this post it made the past come flooding over me. Those 18 years now seem to have gone by in the blinking of the eye. Did I spend as much time with her that I could? Was I there when she needed me? Well the answer to that second question is no since I spent at least half of her life deployed somewhere. She spent her share of time in emergency rooms and for most of them I was there. But was I there for the good times as well as the bad? Did the responsibilities of life just prevent me from appreciating the good times?
My heart goes out to the Chapman family, I can not imagine the anguish that they are going through.
Now if you don’t mind I need to go talk to my daughter and find out just exactly what all the graduation plans are.
Our prayers for the Chapman family in the wake of this tragic accident returning this little angel to God’s mercy. We can only imagine the pain this family is going through in the short term as they mourn the loss of this lovely child. I just couldn’t bring myself to get through the video I started having some problems with these old eyes.
I found myself falling back into the old active duty mindset of duty above family (I am so glad I have a very understanding wife and kids) a few years ago working hard to gain the next promotion in the simple servant system to allow me to provide more resources to support my family. When I finally realized that promotions went to who you know instead of what you know (the exact opposite of my active duty military experience) I decided to quit the Base Budget Office (will be very cold day in hell if I ever go back) and moved over to the Squadron level and have not had one regret since. I have a great relationship with God and my family while carrying a lighter workload for the same pay.
It’s times like these that we are reminded about how much we truly need God. For who else could comfort a family at a time like this?
May God bless, keep and comfort this family. Maria, rest in peace, dear one. We know you are safe in the Lord’s bosom. May God grant them peace.
My lil’ sis is having her junior prom today. I won’t be able to make it and right now I am guilt-stricken because of it. I sent her money thinking that would be quell her desires for me to be in attendance. It does not and is sad commentary on my part to think that it could be. BrianNY, thank you for sharing. Whomever it was that gave you that advice has touched yet another person’s life. Thanks.
SCC is an extraordinarily talented man, while never claiming to be anything beyond “just a man.” His humility has always been a thing to behold.
We pray for him. I daresay we pray for his wife more. And, most of all, we pray for his son – what a terrible burden to shoulder your whole life.
I fear that Steven’s real challenge won’t be mourning the loss of his beautiful treasure – it will be counseling his son to forgive himself.
This story is far from over, even if we never hear the later chapters.
Pray.
I was in Disney when SCC first introduced “Cinderlla”. I cried my head off at how beautiful that song was and the story he told about writing it.
When I got home, I emailed all my friends with daughters (and Michelle too) to tell them if they never buy another CD, they need to buy his next release as “Cinderlla” would be on it.
Last night I saw the headline but didn’t read the story (it did not say who the artist was). Today, I am crying again.
I will pray long and hard for the young man in this tragedy. He will beat himself up for a long time over this.
Chapman family, you will all be in our prayers.
Chris & Beverly.
I can’t even imagine the pain the brother is feeling. That won’t ever leave him.
Just over two years ago, our family was hit with a devastating blow involving our youngest child. She was molested by a convicted sex offender/illegal immigrant. The pain was beyond description for us all, but God’s mercy and grace got us through. In the darkest days of our anguish, I came across these words written by British author George MacDonald:
“Sometimes a thunderbolt will shoot from a clear sky; and sometimes in the life of a peaceful family, without warning of gathered storm, something terrible will fall. And from that moment everything seems changed. That family is no more exactly what it was before. Better it ought to be, damaged it may be.
“The result depends on the family itself and its response to the invading storm of trouble. Forever after, its spiritual weather is altered. But for the family who believes in God, such rending and frightful catastrophes never come but where they are turned around for good in that family’s life and in other lives they touch.”
This is my prayer for the Chapmans.
God’s existance is not evidenced in that we do not suffer…it’s evidenced in how we suffer.
God’s speed to this family.
God, please send comfort to the Chapmans, especially that young man who will have to live with this for the rest of his life. We all know You’ll keep that pretty, little Maria Sue until You can reunite her with them.
We need to keep a close watch on my autistic son when we’re around cars. He doesn’t recognize them as being dangerous, and will stand too close to them. Please pray that we won’t have that happen to us.
NavyMom and tre,
I have your family in my prayers. All the best.
The Soap’s ditto 30!
Beautiful post, Michelle. Like you I’ve also learned to put my loved ones before everything else.
God bless the Chapman family, for bringing this little child into a life of hope, light and love. She is with God and the angels now, and her beautiful, vibrant young spirit will live on forever in a land that is blessed.
My husband and I have followed Steven Curtis’s career since the beginning. We have seen him in concert many times. He and his family are a walking testimony to what living for God, Country and family is all about. I pray only God’s Grace and Peace for them. Today Maria dances with the King.
I am quite saddened about hearing this news, but Maria is in a place without pain or need – God has a very special place in His heart for kids.
My most sincere condolences.
It is normal at this time for me to quote CS Lewis:
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
I hope this family may find peace. But don’t fear. I’m almost sure Cpl Cooper has her on his shoulder, and is giving her a tour of a better place now.
I heard about this yesterday and was terribly saddened, for her parents and the whole family, of course, but mostly for her brother — it is completely true that he will never ever be the same.
May God continue to Bless the entire Chapman family, and give comfort to those who need it most.
I cannot imagine the pain the family must be going through with this double tragedy. I wish there was such a thing as suffering credits so I could give them some to ease their pain.
Michelle, thanks so much for posting. And as one commenter noted, Steven IS a regular guy you would run into at the grocery store. Since we live near Franklin TN, my wife ran into him at Costco one day. He and his family (when they had only Shaohanna) showed up at our church one Sunday. They are a typical American family, except they chose to live in an atypical way – by investing in the eternal souls of their children. The Chapmans are successful enough that they could give their kids just about anything. But what they’ve given them first is their faith in Jesus. How many other Grammy-winning artists are as humble and self-sacrificing as SCC? I believe their Father will carry this family through.
Beautiful post, Michelle. It reminded me of my precious kids. I certainly hope God gives the Chapmans the strength to endure this heartache.
If I may, can I please ask each of your readers to do something for me? I work in safety and hear of similar tragedies like this far too frequently. If everyone will do a quick walk around the vehicle to ensure all is clear before backing up, it will greatly reduce the risk.
Reading of such a terrible incident like this should be all the motivation we need to spend the extra 20 seconds making sure it is safe to put the vehicle in motion.
I was just playing my favorite SCChapman song “Lord of the Dance” on Youtube the other day. It had been awhile and I was wondering about him and his ministry. Prayers and thoughts for his family today.
I just heard about this last night at worship team rehearsal. I can find no words that can truly express the anguish I feel over this tragedy.
May Yeshua bring peace to the Chapmans, and may He particularly help Maria Sue’s brother in this time.
I have a 2 year old daughter, and the thought of something like that happening is making me start to well up tears right now. As I type this, I am thinking about the other day, when she wanted to go with me on a quick trip to the hardware store. I was in a rush, and at first said no, daddy will be back soon. But the more I thought about it, I figured the times she will want to go with me may wain as she gets older.
God forbid, but if something like this happened, would I want the last memory to be that I was too busy to let her go with me?
I know there is no consolation for the Chapman family, except to hold on to the faith they have in our Savior right now. I shall pray for them throughout the day. I’m going to go hug my little girl right now…
I have your family in my prayers. All the best.
The Soap’s ditto 30!
Soap, 30, Thank both of you very much. My family and I very much appreciate you.
My heart and prayers goes out to them
The greatest tragedy is a child who never gets to grow up. Never gets to hold hands, fall in love, succeed, fail, hope, dream or become. Take every moment as it may be your last and make it your most important.
Carpe Diem.
Thank you, Michelle. I am squeezing my baby daughter a little bit harder right now. Baby first, everything else second.
God bless the Chapmans.
Heart stopping tragedy. I can’t begin to imagine what that family is going through, how the young man will be scarred for life, how that day will forever be marked in tragedy for them all.
And a remarkable personal journey for you, Michelle. Few people have taken to heart the lesson you seem to have absorbed; life is too short to waste on frivolities like work and career. The important things will always be family and loved ones – the rest is window dressing.
My heart goes out to her brother.
There’s no tragedy in life like the death of a child. Things never get back to the way they were.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
I wept and wept over this yesterday. Partly because it brought back memories of losing our stillborn son and partly because I have a five-year-old daughter.
When she and my husband picked me up from work yesterday, I sat with her in the back seat and held her hand the whole way home. Later, when she asked me to dance to some silly music we heard, I didn’t say “No, Mommy’s tired and it’s time for bed” as I usually do. I just picked her up and danced. I believe I will never forget those Cinderella lyrics; they now have a doubly important meaning.
May God be very near to the Chapman family, and may He show His love in a particular way to the son who was driving the car.
Steven Curtis Chapman sang at my friend (and college roommate)’s memorial service. She was killed in the Wedgewood Baptist Church shootings back in 1999. Her sister, my other college roommate, got to meet him. She said he was so wonderful.
When I heard about this incident, my heart went out to that whole family. Especially the 15 yr. old brother.
We had a scare with our son back in 2001 when he was on a 4 wheeler and it crashed. He was 6 at the time. I witnessed it and was so grateful to see my son walking towards me after the crash. He is the reason I quit my job back in 2000 to stay home. I work part time now at his school. I do not regret leaving my old job at all!! Best decision ever.
My prayers go out to this wonderful family. God is with them. They love and honor Jesus with their lives and talent. He is faithful to those who are faithful to Him. I know He is with them now.
“I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise shall continually be in my mouth…The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.” Psalm 34:1 &7
Lesson: If you absolutely must buy an SUV, have a backup camera installed.
I don’t know Mr. Chapman, but my heart goes out to him and his family, especially the oldest brother. My late wife and I lost a 3 day old daughter unexpectly in 1963 and we were devastated. I’m holding back the tears as I write this. May the Good Lord comfort the family in their time of sorrow.
No, corona, the lesson here is – God giveth and God taketh away. Since we do not know how long we have or how long our loved ones have – we are to treasure every moment and spend as much time with them as possible. Priorities.
Don’t cheapen this tragedy with asinine talking points. Thank you.
*tears*
Judas:
Don’t blame God for the foolishness of men.
Corona,
Seriously. This is neither the time nor the thread for this. Save it for another day.
This is not the first, nor the hundredth time this has happened. It won’t be the last if all that is done is spout platitudes. More kids will die because fools like Judas want to avoid the real issue.
This was entirely preventable.
Pray especially hard for that young man who is going to live with this for the rest of his life.
I can’t even imagine.
Michelle,
I tried to read through the comments. I could not. I worked pediatric ER and Peds for many years. This brings to life unpleasant memories of standing at the bedside of a 2 year old run over by her father. Of the ventilator being turned off for the final time. The look on the fathers face forever etched in my memory. Tears again, and prayers for the family.
I was wondering if any of the liberal whack jobs would dare to make light of tragedy. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised anymore, but certainly still disgusted by people like Corona.
A terrible tragedy, God Bless the Chapman family.
And don’t forget prayers for the Police, medics, nurses and doctors who also had to witness the horror of this accident.
For goodness sake corona, why in hell stop at kicking them while they are down? Just rub it in some more. I, for one, wish you would STHU.
corona
…and 40,000+ auto deaths a year would be prevented if we all stopped driving cars. Please quit using this tragedy to score points for your particular cause. Feel free to use it later, when a respectable amount of time has passed.
There is a time for everything, this is not the time.
Azygos-
Excellent point! We must remember these brave souls in our prayers. How hard it must be for them….
At a time when sympathy for a child should abound, you choose to make it your personal platform. Thank you for being classless and disrespectful.
You’re beyond reprehensible.
STHU.
Corona,
Yes you are right, accidents do happen all the time. The whole point I believe in posting this article was to make us think, how precious life is, how it can be taken away in an instant, and also to highlight the positive work done by the family. It took a real idiot such as yourself to not see that.
My prayers and thoughts go out to the Chapman family during this time of pain and suffering.
GSP
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My sincerest condolences to that family. May that little girl rest in eternal peace, and may her brother find the peace and forgiveness he deserves. My heart goes out to that poor family, and to that poor boy.
Misscheryl,
Or as it says in the Word
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor. 12:9, NKJV)
I agree with that sentiment 100%. The teenage son will need to be guided carefully, and even that may not be enough for a while. Poor guy has to live with that memory forever. I can’t imagine how that sort of tragedy would have affected me. I would not have been easy on myself at all.
Just maybe, when that little girl gets to heaven, a kind gentlemen from Tennessee will welcome her home. Help her out, Dad.
Corona, you are a class A first order jerk. You can take your anti-SUV crusade and shove it up your nether regions.
Why don’t you bother to actually read the story in some detail.
This story is not about SUV’s vs. Prius, gas milage, global warming, Middle east oil or Halliburton.
This is a tragedy for a family, human beings who are suffering beyond anything I can imagine right now.
Show some class and respect, or just $%@! off, Jerk.
Our prayers and deepest sympathy go out to them at this time of tragedy.
As the English would say, “I’m gutted!” I really don’t know this man or his music, but what a horrible tragedy. That teenage son will need a boatload of counseling.
So this kind of horror happens with SUVs only? What about the hybrids, sedans, pick ups, full sized vans, minivans?
This is a HORRIBLE tragedy! My prayers to the family! This is just more evidence the auto industry need to make standard the camera to see what’s behind you in every vehicle. This is happening way to often!
Well, the lyrics alone have me sobbing, so I don’t know if I can handle the videos. But thank you for this post, Michelle. I have never personally heard his music, but I read about this horrible accident and have been thinking about it a lot. My prayers are with the family, especially her brother who will be burdened with this for the rest of his life. Thanks for reminding me to slow down and e-n-j-o-y. The little things. More than once I’ve rushed my kids through bath and bedtime just to get to my “me” time faster, and felt bad about it later.
When I was 5, my mom was running errands with my brothers, ages 4 and 2. She stopped to pick up some milk from a milk truck – pulled the car up alongside it and left the boys in the car while she hopped out – she was literally 20 feet away (this was the mid-1970s when you didn’t get thrown in jail for leaving your kids in the car). One of them knocked the car into reverse and it rolled out onto a very busy road and immediately was T-boned by another truck. We were so close to losing them (they were totally fine), but things can happen in an instant.
This is not our typical thread to debate issues, Corona.
Several people have asked you nicely to back off the lecture and trying to jack the thread.
Another time on another thread will be more appropriate. Show some decency.
I pray for the entire family. This is heart breaking