Maria Sue Chapman (2003-2008)
Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter to Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, was killed Wednesday night 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... not to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.
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. And yet we trust in a God who was not surprised by this and because of Jesus I am certain through faith in Him we will see Maria again. - Jim Houser (Manager)
Dear Steven, Mary Beth and the Chapman family,
Our hearts ache for you and your family. Deeply truly ache. If there were words we knew would comfort you we would send them but we find no words. We are stunned and silent and holding you in our prayers.... Praying that the Father will wrap his strong and loving arms around each of you. Praying for all you will bear in the wake of such a devastating loss.... Praying folks close to you will love you well. Praying out of ignorance and hope.... we weep with you and trust that God is good.
The Holloways, Charlotte NC
Posted by: Lynn | May 22, 2008 at 08:51 AM
Words cannot express how sorry I am for your entire family. I pray that God will hold you in His loving arms and comfort you in this time of great sadness. God bless and keep you all.
Posted by: Jennifer Lester | May 22, 2008 at 08:52 AM
My heart is breaking for you and your family. I will be praying for you and your whole family, but especially for your son. Your songs have blessed my family for many years and I feel as if I know you personally. God bless you during this terrible time of tragedy.
Posted by: Linda Smith | May 22, 2008 at 08:52 AM
You are in my thoughts and prayers. She was a blessing to see on your blogs and I will always remember her smile.
God Bless you and your family during this grief.
Your Sister in Christ!
Posted by: Chrystin | May 22, 2008 at 08:52 AM
The following is an excerpt from Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman:
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I had seen the goodness of the Lord... Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage. Psalm 27:13-14 (NASB)
Do not despair! Oh, how great the temptation is to despair at times! Our soul becomes depressed and disheartened and our faith staggers under the severe trials and testing that come into our lives, especially during times of bereavement and suffering. We may come to the place where we say, "I cannot bear this any longer. I am close to despair under these circumstances God has allowed. He tells me not to despair, but what am I supposed to do when I am at this point?"
What have you done in the past when you felt weak physically? You could not do anything. You ceased from doing. In your weakness, you leaned on the shoulder of a strong loved one. You leaned completely on someone else and rested, becoming still, and trusting in another's strength.
It is the same when you are tempted to despair under spiritual afflictions. Once you have come close to the point of despair, God's message is not, "Be strong and courageous" (Joshus 1:6), for he knows your strength and courage have run away. Instead, He says sweetly, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
Hudson Taylor was so weak and feeble in the last few months of his life that he told a friend, "I am so weak I cannot write. I cannot read my Bible. I cannot even pray. All I can do is lie still in the arms of God as a little child, trusting Him." This wonderful man of God, who had great spiritual power, came to the point of physical suffering and weakness where all he could do was lie still and trust.
That is all God asks of you as His dear child. When you become weak through the fierce fires of affliction, do not try to "be strong." Just "be still, and know that He is God." And know that He will sustain you through the fire.
God reserves His best medicine for our times of deepest despair.
Be strong and take heart. Psalm 27:14
Be strong, He has not failed you
In all the past,
And will He go and leave you
to sink at last?
No, He said He will hide you
Beneath His wing;
And sweetly there in safety
You then may sing.
Posted by: Anna | May 22, 2008 at 08:52 AM
God's ways are at times impossible to fathom, yet we trust Him always. Our family will be praying for you all at this time in words which we trust the Spirit will interpret for us to the Father. What a precious joy she has been to you all and you will miss her profoundly. We are weeping with you down here in Australia and trusting in the One who she is rejoicing in before you. Much love from Australia XOX
Posted by: Mairi | May 22, 2008 at 08:53 AM
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I watched the video of Maria and her Daddy. So precious.....
My heart and prayers go out to your family. May God carry you through this unfathomable time in your life.
Posted by: Abbie Alvarado-Montoya | May 22, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Our prayers are with your entire family right now. We are praying that you will find peace and rest in the arms of Jesus during this incredibly difficult time.
The Pettigrew Family,
Scottsdale, AZ
Posted by: The Pettigrew Family | May 22, 2008 at 08:53 AM
This just breaks my heart to see such a beautiful spirited angel taken so early. My prayers are with your entire family.
Posted by: Annie | May 22, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Praying. There are just no words.
Posted by: susan | May 22, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Our deepest sympathies go to your whole family. May God truly hold you in the palm of His hand as you go through this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by: Doris R. Mayer | May 22, 2008 at 08:54 AM
My heart aches for your pain in this tragedy. We weep with you and for you as you endure this difficult time. May God give you His grace and peace in the hours and days ahead.
Posted by: Vicki | May 22, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Our hearts ache with you know that you are loved and being lifted up.
Posted by: Debra | May 22, 2008 at 08:54 AM
There are no words I can think of to bring you comfort. I only know that my heart is aching for you and your family and I will lift you all up in my prayers and ask for GOD to hold you during this time. Please know that there are thousands of us out here who are thinking of you and praying for you.
Posted by: Darla Tullis | May 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM
May you know that during this most difficult and tragic time, that God is still on the throne, He hears your weeping, understands your sorrow and feels your pain. He too lost a son... we remember you in prayer, and send wishes that you will find strength, in the Lord Jesus, from whom all good comes forth.
Posted by: micki and todd | May 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Your family remains in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that the Lord and the Body of Christ will uphold you during this difficult loss.
Jesus be With You!
Posted by: Nicole Denise | May 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM
My heart is also breaking for you and your family. I feel like I know you even though we have never met. Please know that I have been thinking and praying for your family and will continue to do so for the months ahead. May God just wrap you in His arms and hold your whole family.
Posted by: Jan | May 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM
What a tragedy!! My thoughts and prayers are with you!!
Posted by: Jen | May 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Pouring out our prayers over you today and for the weeks to come. I cannot imagine the loss you must feel right now. Please know you are being lifted up and I know Our Lord Jesus will bring you through this.
In his,
April Reed
Posted by: April Reed | May 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM
This just breaks my heart to see such a beautiful spirited angel taken so early. My prayers are with your entire family.
Posted by: Annie | May 22, 2008 at 08:56 AM
Dear Chapman family,
Words cannot express my sorrow at hearing this news. I know that you can be comforted by the thought that you will see Maria again in heaven.
Stand strong in your faith. God is a God of restoration.
Posted by: Amy | May 22, 2008 at 08:56 AM
I was so saddened to read about this tragic accident! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I cannot imagine what that must be like but I know that your faith in Jesus Christ will be enough to sustain you and knowing that you will one day see her again in Heaven has to give you some solice. That being said, I know that the pain has to be more than I wish to imagine. I also really feel for your son and will say a special prayer for him to be able to get through this. I am a youth director with our church in SC and we saw you guys perform in Columbia last year as your son had his time to shine on stage. Thank you for all that you do to spread the Word through your music and talent. Once again, my heart goes out to you and we will pray for you.
Posted by: Sheldon Bethea | May 22, 2008 at 08:56 AM
There are no words I can think of to bring you comfort. I only know that my heart is aching for you and your family and I will lift you all up in my prayers and ask for GOD to hold you during this time. Please know that there are thousands of us out here who are thinking of you and praying for you.
Posted by: Darla Tullis | May 22, 2008 at 08:56 AM
God knows your pain; He lost a child too. Know that you are loved, and are being lifted up in prayer all over the world. Dance on Cinderella!!
Angie Roberts
Louisville, Ky
Posted by: Angie Roberts | May 22, 2008 at 08:56 AM
We are absolutely heartbroken! Your family has been such an inspiration to us! We are lifting you up in prayer today!!
Posted by: Matt & Jen | May 22, 2008 at 08:56 AM