We were saddened this morning to hear of the death of Maria Chapman the youngest daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman. She was critically injured after being struck by a car in the driveway of the family home. What’s even tougher is that the driver of the car was her brother. I can’t imagine what he’s feeling right now.
Steven and his wife, Marybeth, are probably the most influential people in the world of adoption…especially international adoption. Seven years ago they adopted Shaohannah after their oldest daughter suggested they consider adopting a Chinese child. This totally changed the family’s life. They went on to adopt Stevie Joy, and then Maria. They founded Shaohannah’s Hope a foundation to bring together orphans and families who would like to adopt. This is probably one of the largest adoption grant sources in the world.
I have to admit I have a hard time figuring out why God allows tragedies like this. It’s hard to understand why God would allow an orphan to be brought out of oppressive China with their strict one-child-per-family laws only to live five short years before being taken tragically in an accident. Why would He allow her brother to be the driver of the car and have to live with the guilt of running over his sister? It seems unthinkable that a loving God would allow this.
Inevitably, though, out of every situation like this comes great things that only God could orchestrate. I’ve seen it happen time and time again. How many people will come to learn about international adoption and have their heart moved by Maria’s story, and how many orphans in China and around the world will find a family through this? More importantly how many of those children, and those influenced by Maria’s story will turn their hearts over to Jesus? The potential impact could be beyond our wildest imagination. All I know is that God never does anything that will not be for his glory and the advancement of his kingdom, and while the Chapmans and their friends will miss Maria terribly they can eventually rest in the fact that her short life was part of a beautiful masterpiece God is painting for His Kingdom.
Here is a link to Steven Curtis Chapman’s website for details of Maria’s Memorial Service
Here’s a sweet little video of Steven and Maria:
1 Comment
May 23, 2008 at 7:29 PM
God is always at work not matter what the circumstances look like or how tragic the event. He always works all things out to His glory. It is hard for us to see that sometimes and from time to time things like this make me wonder about the scripture in 1 Cor. 13:12 where is says “Now we see through a glass darkly (or dimly)” (KJV). I wonder if that is because our glass is tear stained. I look forward to the day when the Lord will wipe all tears away.
By the way that video clip was so sweet. How great would it be to have a dad like Steven!