Christians and fellow musicians are mourning the loss of five-year-old Maria Sue Chapman after an accident at their family home in Nashville. The girl was struck in the driveway in Franklin, TN, by an SUV her older brother was driving at the time. According to the Chapman website, Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family's six children and one of their three adopted daughters.
I don't believe there is a parent alive that doesn't stop at this news and thank God for their children. They may hold their children a little longer tonight before tucking them into bed. At the same time, I think it is natural for Christians to question this tragedy.
For many, confusion will set in. Questioning such as how this could happen to a man that has spent his whole life serving God will come from all sides. All eyes, Christians and non-Christians, will be on the Chapmans as they move forward in their grieving process and react to this tragedy.
The Chapmans were dealing with the same life events every other family in America deals with everyday. However, it only took a second to change their course of events. According to their website, "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," Jim Houser, Chapman's manager posted. "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."
As I listened to the Christian radio station this morning, I have to admit I was moved. Losing a child, to me, would be the hardest thing to have to go through. I would question if I could make it. I think I might end up in the mental hospital.
I was moved, however, by the calls of parents who had lost children. All of them explained that they held on to the hope of Jesus Christ. All of them said that there was good that came out of the tragedy. For those who aren't Christians, that statement may sound bizarre.
However, I know from personal experience, good came out of the death of my mother. I would never compare that to loosing a child, but I think as humans we need that hope to hold on to. We can all look to the example of Job who kept praising God despite all the tragedies he was facing.
My heartfelt prayers go out to the Chapmans at this time. For those who have never heard of the Chapmans or their family, Maria was one of their three adopted children from China. More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah's Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry's goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles
The family recently posted a blog video of Chapman and Maria washing dishes. It is evident the love between the daughter and father as well as just how normal the family is when it comes to everyday life. Check out the video below:
