My heart is aching and grieving this morning as I consider the loss that the Steven & Mary Beth Chapman family is experiencing. Many of you are familiar with their story, but in recent years, the Chapmans expanded their family by adopting three precious little girls from China. The youngest of those sweet girls, Maria, was involved in a tragic accident yesterday and went Home to be with Jesus.
Steven's ministry of music has impacted me so profoundly over the past 20 years. God has used it to encourage me in my walk with Him, challenge me to live a life of authenticity, and comfort me when I'm hurting. Steven & Mary Beth's marriage has encouraged me in my own, and their heart for family, orphans, and adoption has refreshed and inspired me.
Oh, how my heart hurts for them...
How thankful I am, though, that we have Jesus. God reminded me through a friend this morning that we do not grieve as those who have no hope (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). I'm thankful that Steven and Mary Beth and their family understand this truth...this promise.
Steven once wrote a song for friends who had lost a child. It's called "With Hope." Please join me in praying that God will comfort and minister to and meet the heart needs of this precious family...
Steven Curtis Chapman
In Memory of Maria
"With Hope"
This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you but
We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
There's a place by God's grace
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again
And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father smile and say, "Well done,"
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're home
And now you're free and
We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true so
We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope
Thursday, May 22, 2008
With Hope
Posted by Nikki at 7:52 AM
Labels: Trials and God's Grace
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2 comments:
Such beautiful words. I too am hurting for this family. It was such a shock when I first heard about the accident.
My first thought when I heard about it was this really couldn't have happened then the Why Lord? set in.
I pray for the family but especially the brother who was involved. Lord give them peace and understanding and just continue to show your abundant love as you wrap your arms around each and everyone.
My heart aches for the whole family. I can not imagine their ache. My prayer is that God would be glorified in such a sad event. This is the same God that gives and takes away --- blessed be His name!
That song has brought me comfort so many times during my days of grief.
Lynn
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