If you’ve read my blog before, you might have seen a mention of 104.1 The Fish. I listen to Pete and Brenda in the morning all the time on the way to work. I enjoy the music, their bantering makes me laugh, and the news report is almost always played during my commute. Generally it’s depressing updates on gas prices or politics, but today’s report was worse – the death of Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter of Christian music artist Steven Curtis Chapman.
Maria was hit in the driveway of the family’s Tennessee home by an SUV, driven by her brother, who apparently didn’t see the 5-year-old girl. The brother’s name was not released, and the Associated Press states that no charges are expected as the event appears to be a tragic accident.
Jim Houser, Steven’s manager, wrote posts on both his own blog and one dedicated to Maria describing the turn of events:
“Maria Sue Chapman [was] killed tonight in a tragic accident in the family driveway on Wednesday evening. She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital but for only reasons God can explain she went home to Him … The family eventually left the hospital and was surrounded by friends and family at their home church where many had instinctively gathered to hug and cry and pray together. There must have been 250 people or more there at this impromptu gathering after 9pm at night.
Your prayers are needed for all in the Chapman family. This is a family who has so generously loved and given to so many. Just hours before this close knit 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. These words are unthinkable to type.”
Steven’s newest song is called Cinderella, and he also recently released a related book about being a father entitled “Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess.” Here’s a video I found on YouTube with the music video for the song, and add a feature after where Steven explains the inspiration behind the song … I had tears in my eyes as I watched it:
23 May 2008 at 3:58 am
Your loss is heart felt, I pray that you and your family are comforted in this time of need.
Be blessed
Pam
23 May 2008 at 4:21 am
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. I pray that God will help you find healing and strength.
23 May 2008 at 7:14 am
I read this blog with my mouth open… i was in shock…
I am praying for the whole family and esp for the brother who accidentally killed his youngest sister.
Lord surround them with your love.
23 May 2008 at 9:57 am
This has weighed heavy on my heart as it always does when a child’s life is taken from us, but this one hit a little closer to home. We worked together as teenagers at a grocery in Lone Oak, Ky. Back then we never knew that Steve was destined for stardom, but he and his brother Herbie were always strumming a guitar. So to me they are special because of our childhood friendship, and I am still crying not only with tears but deep inside my heart.
So, in my heart I have to believe that our Heavenly Father simply needed another “Little Angel,” and out of the 6.7 billion people in the world, she was the best qualified for the job! (Steve, I wrote this poem below for you my friend in honor of your daughter, I hope you don’t mind) jimmyvintage@mindspring.com
“In My Heart”
by Jimmy Phillips
A little girl lives here, she has the sweetest smile,
the twinkle in her eyes will stay with you for awhile.
She is always happy and loved, you can see it in her eyes,
her smile comes from her heart, her eyes twinkle like fireflies.
She so loves her family as everyone else does as well,
she is as sweet as she can be, that little Southern Belle.
Her happiness was contagious, no matter how you felt,
if you met her you would smile too, in spite of yourself.
Maria Sue loved to sing with her daddy as he strummed out a tune,
you could see from his twinkling eyes, he thought she hung the moon.
Yes, she was loved by so many during her short time earth,
she made quite a special impact since the time of her birth.
She will be missed by many, she will never be forgotten,
for now this Angel lives with God, and his only begotten.
In my heart I know this and in my heart I smile,
for a Little Angel lives there, and she has the sweetest smile!
God Bless You my friend!!!! Jimmy
24 May 2008 at 4:24 am
I lost my sone over 20 years ago, nothing I can say will help in his pain. But I can say I know how you feel steve, and time will heal. God gives us that and Grace as believes. Stand strong in Jesus for your wife and kids. Life is second by second now. My Heart breaks for you and your wife and kids!
GRACE BE FLOODED TO THE CHAPMANS.
25 May 2008 at 3:51 pm
“But Thou, Oh Lord, Are A Shield for me, My Glory and The Lifter Up of My Head” – I cannot imagine your grief – it seems you have suffered two losses, first Maria and possibly the happiness your teenage son should be experiencing at his age with so much of his life ahead of him. I pray that God will comfort your family and especially your son in only a way that our Heavenly Father can do. I know words and thoughts seem so inadequate at this time, but He tells us, as we all well know, that His grace is sufficient and somehow, someway, and in His time He will carry you through this storm.
Lifting you without ceasing -
Linda Baker
30 May 2008 at 4:37 am
God bless! 5 steps from Grief to Grace is my advice to the Chapmans, and you – you may read here my new essay on the subject: http://frankahilario.blogspot.com/