Impressions of Larry King Appearance, Just Jim's Thoughts

Leaving CNN now... Some impressions...
It was so difficult for me to watch this interview. I knew Mary Beth was hurting so badly today. There were portions I missed in the corner on my knees asking God for strength for her and the rest of the family unable to watch.

It was surreal and very jarring to sit in the green room and hear the "big announcer news guy" say "Tonight! on Larry King! The! Chapmans! with! their! son! Will! who! accidentally! ran! over! his! sister!" and be sitting on a couch with Will. It was painful beyond painful. And then this young man walks into a studio with millions of us watching him and is so hurt, so sad, and yet so brave and honest.

It felt to me as if this was a bad format at times for Steven, because it was if Larry King wanted him to be a bit more concise. But on the topic at hand, how does a man being so honest and who is so broken be concise?

Before the show in the green room Steven discussed with the family and Scott Hasenbalg his desire for them not to be ready and prepared... but rather to be broken and honest and allow the Holy Spirit to speak. During the show in the green room, Scott Hasenbalg, Show Hope; Velvet, publicist; and Tanner, Julia, Ruthie and I prayed constantly. And did so out loud during each break hurting for the family and pleading for God to help and guide the program.

I thought the producers did an amazing job with the pre-produced pieces. And it was amazing to hear "Cinderella" and "Yours" featured on CNN. Also, kudos to publicists Velvet, Stacie, as well as Grace and good friend Janice, for providing footage, photos, music... all that was needed to make these packages happen.

Key moments for me...
Mary Beth Chapman blew me away with her strength. "When we went all the way down, when we hit bottom, the foundation was strong."

Emily's story of "new mercies each day" was so compelling.

Will, I loved his, here it is attitude... "yes I have 3 counselors. yes of course I wish it was different. My brother chased me down when I just wanted to run."

Caleb, Wow. Wow. "Even my crying out 'Why?!' proves my belief in God."

Steven, question from viewer, what should I say to help this person dealing with grief and tragedy? SCC, Sit with them and say nothing. Sit with them and pray for them and say nothing. And, the story of yelling to his son "Will Franklin, Your Father Loves You!" And, the SEE story.

Friends, I guess I'm most struck by... these are things I hear this family say and discuss all the time. These are not things put on or studied up for for this appearance. This is what this family is about and what they believe.

Comments

[jim drake]

Jim

My family all sat together late tonight to watch this. With tears in our eyes, we are so thankful that the Father chooses to shine his glory through those who are willing to let Him be seen. He was seen around the world tonight through the Chapmans.

Our hearts continue on this journey with them.

The Drakes (Texas)

[~Amy~]

Everyone, I had to leave messages to the whole family - sorry for the long post!

Jim - Thank you for all of your updates! I know we are all praying for them and everything you share with us is such a gift. We all appreciate all the posts and pictures. It helps to know when / how to pray or when they are doing better, etc.

Steven - Thank you so much for the ways you have changed me. I saw you in concert at Parkview Christian Church and my life has not been the same. I listen to your music all day at work! Many days I cannot even get out of bed due to depression. But sometimes I start wondering how you and your family are doing and I have to check your website. I usually end up crying from all of these wonderful messages. Then I check out your video blogs and end up laughing so hard. You have a very funny sense of humor and always make me feel better. I bet you are just the coolest Dad too!

Mary Beth - I don't know if you read any of these (there are so many - maybe someone could print the messages out for you?) but I want to say right now that you are an amazing woman. How honest of you to say you don't care how many are being helped by your strength you just want Maria back. How wonderful it was at the end when you said no matter how you fall, you fall on a solid rock (sorry, I know I am not quoting correctly). MANY times in my life I have felt so lost. I just started going to church 3 years ago and am learning and growing so much. Thank you for these words because I will remember them every time I feel so alone and lost. No matter how I fall, HE WILL BE THERE for me. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Will - I hope and pray you have peace. I am glad you are in counseling and told us about that tonight. Many Christians believe they should be able to handle things on their own and are discouraged from getting counseling. Thank you for the encouragement someone may have gotten to know it is ok to ask for help. I am praying specifically for your healing. I can't begin to imagine what you are feeling and have no words to say that could possibly be helpful. Please just know that so many people are praying for you and asking God to help and watch over you.

Caleb - Thank you for the words after Larry's question on how your going to live your life now. I will try so hard to remember that I can live as an example to others and be proud of my God and tell everyone about Him. You, Will, and Emily are so wise. I am sorry that some of this wisdom is due to a tragedy. I am asking God to give you continued strength so you can continue holding your brother up when he needs you too.

Emily - What a wise young woman you are also. I can see how proud your parents are of you. I was so moved by your belief that every day God gives us mercy. I am so sorry that you have lost a little sister you obviously loved and adored. I keep checking your blog with the hope that you have updated it with wonderful news about the wedding plans. Every time I see your picture with your engagement ring I say a little pray of blessing for your upcoming marriage.

I apologize if anything I have said has upset anyone in any way. Steven, as you said sometimes it is better to just sit with someone in their grief and say nothing. Since I can't physically sit with you, please know that I am thinking about and praying for you all.

~amy~

[Dino Papini]

Praise be to God for this wonderful family and how He spoke through them tonight. Amazing and beautiful. We love you, Chapman family.

[Sumi]

I was so moved by the interview, Jim. I saw it both times it aired tonight. I could tell it wan't easy but there was sooo much grace, and boy, what an awesome testimony.

Such openness and brokennness. Much life is going to come forth out of this for the Kingdom's sake.

My favorite parts: the snippet from the service (that I haven't seen before) where Caleb says that God is going to heal Will in a way that we will all like very much. Amen to that.

And Mary Beth's comment about hitting the bottom only to find the foundation of God firmly underneath. I have found that to be so true in my own grief.

I am just in awe of God and the grace with which he showered the Chapmans tonight.

[The Reed Family]

I was unable to see the interview, but did listen on-line. Even without the visuals, this interview is seared in my memory. What a witness each of them was tonight. The prayers do not stop now. We will continue to pray for all of you.

[Lori Peters]

I think it was good - and honestly feel individuals who have lost someone will understand things said in the interview. (((entire Chapman family and Jim))). In closing, Mary Beth...her strength and smiles touched me...thank you for sharing..and God bless all of you

[Maggie King]

I was a bit blown away but what seemed like Larry King's lack of sensitivity. I was hurting badly for the family. I know that the world saw light that otherwise they would never have. Hug on that family for me!

I am interested in seeing the tattoos in a little more detail. Are they tattoos that Maria enjoyed to put on or can we now consider the Chapman family inked?

[~Amy~]

What is on the CNN building? It looks like crosses!

[Eve]

The Chapman family was amazing tonight. Regardless of the interviewer or callers with questions or anyone else involved, the Truth was told tonight - internationally! I am in awe of the stregnth of this family and the wisdom in all of them. I'm sure it was a tough decision to accept this interview, but I hope they are pleased tonight with the outcome.

[~Amy~]

They are inked! Jim, of all the cool pictures you post, could you post the tattoos if they wouldn't mind? I have a tattoo and am always interested in others.

[Amy Holst]

It's on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9nt_FPtK3I

[debbie]

The show was amazing. ANd even if Larry King did expect more concise answers, the family spoke what was on their hearts and what God was leading them to share. We too cried and prayed during each commercial for each of them. They did absolutely amazing! I was blown away by their testimonies! They did an incredible job of being real and letting the world see God thru them. I have no doubt that lives were changed and seeds planted tonite. THank you to the family for be available to use their pain to bring glory to Him because that is what is happening! We continue to pray for healing! THe platform was given to them by God, and regardless of whether Larry King thought they were concise they used the platform to point others to Him and that is what mattered!!! You're all in our prayers!

[Lori]

Truly, God was glorified tonight. The authenticity of the Chapmans. Their faith is real. Their knowlegde of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ is REAL. Their love for each other so REAL and so beautiful. The SEE story just a blessing.
Thank you again to the Chapmans for being vulnerable and trusting God to show up...and He did! Amazing how clearly and beautifully everything was communicated in the midst of such a heavy burden. May the world watching know there is one GOD, one SAVIOUR (Jesus), and one HOPE...and what it is to grieve with HOPE. All glory to God.

Praying friends in SC
The Ferebees

[Julie Bellig]

Jim, you are RIGHT on. The format was a little "rough" may I say? Larry King honestly I felt really lacked a certain amount of sensitivity and sure asked a lot of curiosity questions? I was hurting for them hearing some of his questions. Ugh.

However---and more importantly, the Chapmans did a stand up job. They answered every single question without hesitation. The shared their testimony in such a personal, raw, un-scripted way. The Lord will SURELY use their every word to glorify Him.

Someone. Somewhere.... has to have experienced God's healing love and grace through this interview.

The Chapmans put the Lord's work ahead of their own grief and that.... was true love and testimony.

Well done. It was really a blessing to watch. Thank you so much.

Julie Bellig

[Shannon]

I agree with a previous post that Larry King seemed a bit insensitive...I found myself praying for him through the interview. It was almost as if he couldn't grasp the realm of their faith.

[Julie Wieters]

Amazing Grace was all over that beautiful family during their interview! I know it must have been so difficult but what a powerful event to have Scripture quoted and shared on the very "worldly" CNN to the very "worldly" Larry King. Thank you, Jim, for your honesty and powerful love for this precious family. It was a privilege to see "Jesus with skin on" tonight in Steven, Mary Beth, Emily, Caleb and Will.
Prayers continue from Texas.

[Carol~Arkansas]

My family watched this interview live and then we watched it after it was over on tape. I thought Larry seemed a bit insensitive, but yet at the same time, I was so proud of the entire family! They never once failed on their message of Hope, Strength, Love and their Courage shined through repeatedly! These kids are filled with such wisdom! I'm in awe and yet felt they came across as a very real family, hurting and in pain, honest, and I'm thankful for their courage and their obedience. I know God was honored and glorified through them yet again, and this time, on national television. I read some of the comments on CNN afterwards, and I can tell you a very diverse group of people watched them and were impacted. Even Larry made the comment that he thought he understood, but I know he didn't. But imagine the seeds that were planted!?!

I can only imagine how incredibly raw and emotionally difficult and draining this has been on the family after tonight. We pray for them daily, many times, and we held special prayer time for them tonight. My 4 yr. old daughter (from China) started the prayer off. She's very familiar with this entire family. We continue to pray for the entire Chapman clan, as well as you, Jim, your family, Grace, and all the other people close to them. Thank you for your insights and giving us some glimpses into their lives.

[Christy]

I was humbled tonight to watch this Beautiful family share while grieving...I found myself smiling as I read the part of the post of your key moments, as they were the ones that stood out to me as well. God was glorified tonight...Hallelujah! They were such a blessing even in this time of hardship for them. I immediately bought Yours (new verse) after the show...

Thank you for keeping us informed about this family many of us have come to love even more than we thought possible.

[Lesli]

Jim, Steven, and family. This is the first time I have left a comment, and I still don't know what to say. I just could not go to bed tonight without saying a huge thank you for the difference you have made in my life, and let you know that very few days have gone by in the last several months that I have not prayed for you all.

Jim, thank you for keeping us updated, and giving us a window with which to guide our prayers. In this information age, it is very easy to move on and forget the pain that people are going through on a day to day basis, and by keeping us updated, you have kept that from happening, at least for me.

Steven, Thank you for living the life you have and will live in front of the cameras and recording equipment. From my early teen years, your songs have helped me stay grounded in my faith as I have gone through high school, college, and on to married life and mothering my own "Cinderella". There are so many moments in my life for the last 13 years that have one of your songs permenantly attatched to them. I could go on and on, and have to share just a few with you. The first concert I ever attended was during the time "King of the Jungle" and "Let us Pray" were out. I bought one of the Let us Pray T shirts, and have pictures of me wearing it on my first mission trip to Eastern Europe in 1998. When "Dive" came out, I was a summer camp counselor for our church, and it was played so many times that camp. "I Will Be Here" was used during a photo montage at our wedding reception in 2003. Also, just days before Maria's accident, I had the radio on in my house while cleaning. "Cinderella" came on, and I stopped everything and just held my sweet 2 yo little girl and danced around the house with her. I wept the whole time both thanking God for the ability to be home with her each day, and asking Him to never let me forget the awesome privlege it is to be her mommy. It is because you and your family have been faithful to the call God has put on your lives that I have these treasured moments in my life, and for that I thank you for continuing from the bottom of my heart.

As I sat watching Larry King tonight, I know I was watching a hurting family, but a family that is living a true faith in an Awesome and Almighty God who really does hold all of us in his hand. I eagerly look forward to the day when we are all in Heaven, together, and can praise him in the fullness of His Glory.

[Kathy Gordon]

I watched the interview one and a half times tonight. I missed the beginning earlier, so I stayed up to watch it again. WOW. What a testimony. I was struck by how they talked about Maria loving the stories being told about her. A couple of weeks ago, I took the opportunity to read through all of the info posted on this site about what has happened with the family since May. After more than a few tears, God put a "story" about Maria into my head that I could not shake. Two days later, as I lie awake at 4am unable to sleep, I felt compelled to get up and write it out. This is what came:

A Story for Maria

One day in 2004, God turned His eyes upon Maria. Sweet, little Maria, orphaned and alone in China. God knew that her time on earth would be short, and He wanted so much to be able to bring His sweet Maria back home. God worried that that might not happen if Maria stayed in China, so he began to devise a plan. He would arrange for Steven to meet Maria. Steven was a dear servant with a heart for God. He was a loving husband and devoted father, who passionately shared the gospel with others through his music, his words, and his life. God knew that in Steven’s family, Maria would come to know and love Him, and so the plan was put into place. When Steven met Maria, God moved his heart for the little girl. Being a man open to God’s occasional “nudge”, Steven followed where God was leading, even though it was down a path Steven had no plans to travel. Steven called his wife, Mary Beth, to discuss the opportunity God was giving them for a new adventure.

God smiled the day Mary Beth filled out the forms for adoption. Maria would come to know Him, and He would be able to bring His little girl back home when the time came. And yet, He could not help but feel sad. He knew the suffering and pain that the Chapmans would endure. He understood what it was like to watch your child die, and a tear trickled down his face. But he also knew the cloud of witnesses with which he surrounded the Chapmans. He knew that, as long as they clung to Him, He would lead them through the valley of darkness that they would face. And He knew that when they emerged from this refining fire, they would be stronger and more beautiful than ever, ready to minister comfort and healing to others who have lost a child, just as they would be ministered to during their own time of grief. And so, a smile came back across God’s face. He would be able to bring Maria back home, and would again get to dance with His dear Cinderella. He would strengthen the Chapmans in their faith, and they would be beautiful instruments of His love and grace and peace to those who are hurting. And one day, they will all reunite to dance in Heaven, in the room that Maria will pick out just for them, decorated all in pink. God sighed, and was pleased, for He knew the plans that He had for His children, and it was good.

It may sound strange, but I swear God was giving this story to me. I don't know the Chapmans except as a huge fan of SCC, but I feel for them and I continue to pray for them. I hope this story might be shared with them someday, and that they might be blessed by it even an ounce of how much I have been blessed by their testimony of love and faith the past few days.

God bless them, and give them His peace.

[Marty Walden]

My family also watched this interview, with 2 of our 3 adopted siblings. We cried and it was a real moment for my daughter and I to talk about her birth parents and Maria Sue and all the grief. I believe it jumpstarted the grieving process for her that has been locked up for 8 years. (She's 10). We grieved with the Chapmans tonight and are so thankful for the testimony they share despite the pain.

[The Papini Family]

Jim, my family and I just want you to know how thankful we are for your tireless efforts in making all of us in the "blog family" feel like an extension of the wonderful Chapman family. How proud are we all, watching them persevere through so many difficult questions, and through it all confidently proclaiming the truth that our God is sovereign! Thanks again for allowing us to be a part of it.

[Marianne in Springfield, Missouri]

Thank you Chapman Family for sharing your broken (and healing) hearts with the world, and for trusting God to be the answer to all the hard questions you have faced. Still praying for you - and looking forward to seeing you in Arkansas on Saturday.

Father, thank you again for the ministry that you have given to Steven and the joy his music has brought to so many over the years. Thank you, Father, for giving him the strength to carry on through these days that have been so hard, and I pray that you will continue to bless this family because of their faithfulness to you. Father, we know there were people who saw the show tonight who don't know the hope that the Chapmans have. I pray that You will send your Spirit to touch those lives and that their hearts will be softened to hear Your voice, and that they will accept the Love that you want to give them. Father, we know there are so many people hurting, others who have suffered losses, and the one that was mentioned on the show tonight - please comfort those who are hurting, and continue to comfort the Chapmans, their extended family, co-workers, Jim, Grace, Melissa, and their many friends. Thank you for the Truth You have given us, for the Hope we live with, for giving us that solid Rock foundation to catch us when we fall, the Faith that the world does not understand, but is truly what matters most - that we know You will ALWAYS be with us. Thank you Father. In the precious name of JESUS, Amen.

[Alison Lewis]

What a witness the Chapmans were to the world tonight. Yes, it was very difficult to see them struggle through parts of the interview when, as Jim said, Larry seemed to want more concise answers. However, nothing was cut out or edited, like in the GMA interview. God gave the Chapmans an opportunity to share their faith in Him with a world of lost and hurting people. The family's love and respect for each other, and most importantly for our Heavenly Father, was overflowing. God is good! All the time!

[Kelli]

Just finished watching the program and was amazed by the strength and faith of this family. Steven's story of the breadcrumbs was just incredible. I found it interesting that Maria had drawn a butterfly as well on the paper considering that in some cultures the butterfly symbolizes a rebirth after death. Thank you so much to the Chapman family for sharing with everyone, continuing to pray for you all.