Chin UP!!!

My blog today is from something I wrote while at the beach this past week.  I wanted to share it with you though as I was comforted by what I felt God was leading me to learn.

Chin UP!  That phrase brings on a whole new meaning as I was taking a walk on the beach today (actually, the 17th).  I was asking, thinking, talking to God as I was focused....looking down at the ground, mesmerized by the sand and shells I was strolling over.  I guess I was looking for the perfect shell for the girls, or maybe counting my steps in order to just get the walk over...You see, I don't know if I know how to walk to just enjoy the act of walking.  Today was no different....I just wanted to get it done to get on to the next thing.  I was laboring away walking, looking no further than my feet.  I'm a get it done kind of gal.  While I was walking head down, zoned in to the 3 feet or less in front of me, I was certain I heard that still small voice of God whispering ever so loudly to my soul...LOOK UP, or CHIN UP!!!  You see, until then, it had been a cloudy, overcast, rainy kind of morning....the sun quietly hidden behind those gray rainy looking clouds.  To my amazement, as I looked up and lifted my chin, I hadn't even noticed that the sun had come out....It had pushed its way through those dreary clouds and was there, bright as could be.... The warmth was on my face was solid proof that those clouds were gone!  As this morning time on the beach unfolded before me a couple of random (or not) thoughts came to mind.  I as so desperately long to heal from so much pain...missing my sweet Maria...Trying to find the meaning and purpose for how I will live from here on out here is what was spoken to my soul.

•  If we keep our heads down, either out of defeat or loss or shame or tiredness...whatever the reason, we are going to miss the beautiful sun (and SON) that is right there in front of us, shining its warmth to our faces and our souls!

•  We need to understand down to the depths of our souls that whether behind a storm cloud quietly or whether blazing cloudless in the bright blue sky right in our face obvious, Jesus, the Son is always...not sometimes, present.  No matter what the circumstance. 

•  As we walk with Chins up, faces directed toward the Son, we won't see nor have to deal with the pettiness of life much like the hundreds of seashells I was so fixated on.  As we focus on Him, the things of life can be stepped over like those shells....(I know, easier said than done....trust me...I'm trying to preach to the choir here, who is.....ME!).  Is it possible that some of those seashells of life will just go away?  I think so!

• As we keep our faces turned toward Him, maybe we won't see life as a walk we feel we just half to get through and cross off our lists of things to get done.....laboring and counting steps as we go because we just want it to be over...Maybe we can actually start to allow God to direct our lives in the direction that He wants us to go.

•  He is gonna tell us where to step and when to look down if our faces are on Him.  As I was walking and looking up allowing my face to feel His warm presence, I felt like I was supposed to look down and open my eyes.  When I did, I was getting ready to step right on a baby hammerhead shark!  It was deceased, but none the less....A shark!

•  God allows the sharks of life like the hard places of suffering and difficulties.  WE ALL HAVE THEM!  But...if our faces are turned toward Him, He will tell us when to look and how to survive those times by completely trusting Him.  He navigates the steps and takes us where He wants us to go because He loves us and wants us to become more like Him.  It is not up to us!

•  Today, had that shark been alive, I would have totally freaked....heebie jeebies to the max....I could not have handled it!  I feel confident that God allowed it to be deceased so that I could at least write this journal entry..... and besides, I carried all the way back to the condo where we were staying and became quite the hero to my kids, young and old!

I hope that in some way, this has touched or helped you.  I hope that my journey will be one that will encourage you to walk....CHIN UP!!!!

Be encouraged today,

Mary Beth

   

Comments

[Natali]

don't you just love it when GOD speaks to you?

[Jaime]

Your words are so very powerful to me today. Though we have not suffered the loss of a child, we have been defeated in so many other ways. "HE" meant for me to read this tonight. Thank you!

[carla azhderian]

I am so glad to have read your post. Your words are so true and comforting. Our 5yo daughter was murdered in December, just two weeks before her homecoming. A different situation, but still she was our child. A daughter to us and a sister to our children for almost a year.

[debbie]

Well said...well said...

[Melissa (from TN)]

Mary Beth and blog family: I think you will find it neat to see SCC himself on this blog http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

You will have to read the history to see why he is holding a piece of paper with the name Stellan on it. But, it was so cool to see the 2 connected. Stellan and SCC, 2 people and their families that many people are praying for! God is so cool!! and Good!!

Anyway, check it out and lift up this little one as we continue to pray for the Chapman family...

[Tori]

Praying for Poppy's MRI.

[Writermom]

Mary Beth, have been reading some of your blog entries this morning.

I saw SCC last night in Springfield, MO (where I live with my family). It was such a neat experience to see he and MWS together. It was sad, fun and funny, rocking and incredibly worshipful. I've been an SCC fan since close to the beginning. I'm about your age and my kids have grown up listening to, singing and dancing to Steven's music.

I needed to hear your message in this blog...Chin Up! And then I needed to get busy around the house and to my writing assignments! But first, I finally sat down for the prayer time I'd put off...why is it more difficult to pray when we need God the most, when we're hurting the most or confused? At any rate, instead of finally getting to my pilates...or taking a load out of the dryer...I felt an urge to reply to your blog. I don't even read blogs and I NEVER comment on them. I'm not sure you have time to read all of these comments. But here I am, so for you, for me, maybe for another reader, here it is.

It amazes me how honest SCC is about his struggles. Actually, it doesn't - because he's always been that way, why would he change when the struggles get tougher? He seemed tired...and no wonder. Maybe it had been a tough day, tough schedule, but I prayed for him and my heart goes out to you both and your family in your recovery and growth...because you are recovering from a tragedy and growing as you open your heart to the Lord with your questions, anger, confusion, pain. Some people don't recover, but you are, you will. Somehow, some way, the Lord will work mightily through you. He already has, it's apparent in the stories behind the comments, in the response to Show Hope, in so many ways you willl never know and never even have dreamed.

Okay, so on to a few fun reminiscent moments I wanted to share with you. I bought my tickets on the SCC website and had no idea we would be in the second of three rows added in over the orchestra pit. Front and center!

I had similar seats about 13 or 14 years ago at a concert at a university in central Missouri. My son, Caleb (!!), was about 9 mos. old. I couldn't leave him with someone else for that long, so took him with us and he enjoyed the concert with a few blankets held over his ears!

It must have been the 'Heaven in the Real World' tour because I remember dancing with the kids (daughter, now 16) and swinging them around the living room to 'Dancing with the Dinosaur'.

That same Caleb, at about 4, received a guitar and headset for Christmas. We all thought he looked like SCC when he put it on...made a great picture! SCC autographed that picture about 6 years later at a book signing here in Springfield for his book with Scotty.

Some great memories with my son...moments he still thinks are kind of cool...even at the age of 14 1/2 when very little to do with parents is very cool! This passes, right? Great kid, funny, smart, talented soccer and trumpet player, but...14!

Well, if you ever have a chance to read this, it's way too long, but wanted to share some words of thanks, encouragement and maybe a few smiles thinking of another little Caleb rocking with his red plastic guitar like he was SCC.

And neat to see your Caleb up there rocking with his dad. Wow! That has to be a thrill for both!

Thank you for allowing me to share. I pray God's comfort and healing balm soothe your weary spirit.

[Anna]

It was a blessing for me to read it. and i hope you don't mind but i've linked and referenced this to my blog for others to be blessed too.

thanks so much Mary Beth.

much love.

[Laure H.]

I saw your Twitter request for prayer. I'm working on it! And Steven's video blog was great. I will make sure to ask God to visit you while he is away on tour! Love you!

[Julie]

MaryBeth,

Your posts never cease to amaze me. You inspire me and so many others by your courageous walk with the Lord. It is a joy to watch you being HELD by the one who holds Maria Sue.

Praying for your beautiful fam!

[Jessica]

Praying for you and asking the Lord to hold you close and remind you of His love, give you His comfort and speak mightily to your heart! You are loved and prayed for~

[Nadia]

Praying for you extra hard today! :)

Blessings.

[Jenni Saake - InfertilityMom]

Just seeing your twitter from an hour ago that you need extra prayer while "feeling blue" with SCC out of town. Wanting to remind you that you are being prayed for my so many. You have been especially heavy on my heart again all this past week.

[Lynette]

Praying for Poppy's MRI, Mary Beth! The scary part is the unknown! :( But, that's the human in us all. God knows exactly what will happen! :) Hopefully Steven and Caleb can come home tomorrow since the tour doesn't hit Cleveland until Wednesday!

[Joni in MN]

First, there ain't no way that's your hubby singing 500 miles! Ha Just can't be! ;) Great Synthalizers!!! I LUV it!

Chin Up! You've come along way Mary Beth :) It's so glorifing to hear the joy back in your hear & the laughter of what is instead of what could have been! :) May the Good Lord Our Savior bring much Son on you as you travel this journey toward Heaven! May He provide you strength, courage & love as you go forward :)
Blessings & Love,
~Joni

[Christine Gordon]

this is an entry I need to read often.....can I have a signed copy of your future book....smile! Even better.....I could meet and treat you to starbucks on your book tour. (it's ok to hope....heee hee)

My little girl woke up today asking about all of you.....said she'd just like to come and play; amazing how she can SEE Him in all of you.......she SEES Maria's smile everyday on our memo board......thanks to the beautiful postcard you sent. Some day her and Maria can have a playdate!

thanks again for everything
christine gordon and family in MA

[Sheila]

Thank you Mary Beth, I really needed to read this! So often I "see life as a walk I feel I just half to get through.....laboring and counting steps as I go because I just want it to be over..."

The ways in which God allows us to minister to others never ceases to amaze me. Thank you for putting your chin-up!

[Toni Glamann]

Our pastor's daughter preached yesterday on the fact that we can't wait around for God to move. God may be waiting for us to move so he can lead us. You gave me the next step, move with your chin up and not focused on the circumstances. Step out of your comfort zone and be obedient. I love when God uses multiple things to tie a message together. He is healing you and using you. You and your faith are an inspiration to me.

[elaine]

Mary Beth...
Wow, wow, and WOW! I have never experienced the death of a child... but I have experienced death (my mother). so I can't even imagine the excruciating pain and hurt you have crawled through this past year. And here YOU are.... encouraging others. You are a blessing and your words (inspired by your Father) touch us, no matter what dark clouds we are under at the moment. Thank you for encouraging and inspiring people, even people you'll never meet here on earth. thank you for sharing. It was amazing to read...

[emestas@nc.rr.com]

Hello My Sweet Sista,

What a blessing to read your post today. You are such an encouragement to us all. My heart and prayers are with you always. Blessings to each one of the Chapmans from the crazy Mestas house. WE LOVE YOU ALL DEARLY!

In His Timing & Care, With Love Eileen

[Linda McWherter]

MaryBeth,
My childhood friend just lost her daughter, Kristiana, 22 months, when her husband, father of the little girl, accidentally hit her in their driveway. They are also people of great faith; good people. I am struggling with my faith and I'm certain they are. Would you be willing to talk to them about your grief and healing through your own tragedy?

[Christine Gordon]

thanks for the encouragement; means so much that you are looking up and out in your bittersweet journey..............needed that reminder.

thanks for helping me to SEE Him in the challenges we are in right now.

praying on daily as promised.

Christine Gordon and Family in MA

[Tori]

Thank you Mary Beth,
I will pray that I keep my Chin Up.
Many prayers to you and your family.
I will always remember the 21st of every
month and will remember your precious little
Maria.
Will Franklin will always be in our prayers.
Please know others share your sorrow and your heartbreak.
You and your family are such inspirations.
God Bless.

[angie (dallas, tx.)]

you are precious, mary beth. thank you for continuing to write and share. you are so loved and cared for by so many!

[Alyson]

First time reader.
I loved reading your post. A devotional anytime is a great reminder; 24/7. Thank you!

Alyzabeth's Mommy for Six Months!