Maria Chapman

I can't say that Steven Curtis Chapman has been a big part of my life - I liked his music, but I don't have any tapes or CDs of his or listened to anything of his unless it was on the radio...until his Cinderella song came out a few months ago and it has touched my heart and made such a huge impact on me. Apparently he has written a book about Daddies and Princesses and the love for a daughter from her father, this I didn't know. I also didn't know that he was such a champion for adoption and has adopted 3 little girls from China into his family. And now, his youngest - one of the inspirations for the Cinderella song was killed in what can only be called a freak accident. Her brother, driving the SUV, just didn't see her.

How does a family comprehend this? I have no idea. I was so sad when Clint told me the news this morning after I woke up. Of course, he followed it up with "You need to always hold Gracie hand, don't let her wander down the driveway alone" and other such instructions. And Clint is right, I do need to do that, but all of this got my mind contemplating several different things this morning as I read news articles and hear the story on the radio.

My thoughts are these:

Of course I will watch Grace more closely now. She is a daredevil - impulsive without any fear whatsoever. I have watched that girl run full force into countless walls because she was looking over her shoulder at something else. She crawls under trucks for heaven's sake - I can only hope that each day she grows older comes with a bit of common sense and caution. But ultimately, her life in God's hands and He will do as He chooses. I could have Grace bound and gagged on my hip every time I go outside, but if it is her time to go home, then nothing I do will prevent it from happening. There is nothing I can do to stop the Lord from taking her or anybody I love home. This was Maria's time to go home. Why so young? Only the Lord knows. And why so tragic? How will the Lord use this in their ministry and life? And is that thought supposed to be comforting? What do you say to them?

In my opinion, one of the worst parts for the family is that they have to grieve in the public eye. If it were me, and it could be someday - just as much as the Chapman family, I would have all sorts of doubts and questions for the Lord, and I certainly wouldn't want to have to maintain some sort of status or witness for everybody. I would want to be left alone to deal with the questions and have no one around me watching. Everybody will be wondering and looking at this poor boy and the rest of the family. Their faith is a strong part of this family and their relationships with Jesus Christ is very evident, but how do you even start to predict what you would be like in a situation like this?? I don't think you can.

The pictures of Maria on Steven Curtis Chapman's website are beautiful. What a sweet, precious little face. Makes me hug my little Cinderellas a little longer and encourages me to give them a little more grace in these toddler years than perhaps I have been. This situation reminds me to trust in God's sovereignty and feel peace that He loves my two girls even more than I do (which is hard to comprehend) and no matter what lies in our future, His will be done.

"The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away, BLESSED be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21