A Girl Named Maria

My heart is heavy today.  Someone I didn’t even know has passed away, but I cannot help but be touched by her story.  In case you haven’t heard, the youngest child of Steven Curtis Chapman, a well-known Christian singer and songwriter, was killed in a tragic accident yesterday at the tender age of 5. 

Maria was one of three girls that was adopted from China by the Chapman family over the last 5 years.  She must have lived a charmed life, with her loving parents and five other siblings.  In a heartbeat, all of their lives were changed, when she was accidently struck by a car driven by one of her brothers in their driveway in Tennessee.  My sympathy goes out to all of them, but especially the brother who will undoubtedly carry this burden all of his days.

Having experienced the loss of a child myself (actually two), I know the pain and the grief that this family will experience.  I know the birthdays and death anniversaries that come and go; the way they feel sad and sweet all at the same time.  I know the questions that they will most likely have for and about God:  ”How can He be sovereign and loving, and yet allow this terrible thing to happened anyway? How can this be good? Why did He allow this?  Where is He in all of this?”  

Pray for this family.  Pray that they will stand firm in what they know to be true; that our God is loving, sovereign, wise, and good.  That sometimes His ways are far beyond our understanding, but one day we will be with Him in Glory and know His love, sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness firsthand.  Pray that this family will experience joy in knowing that little Maria had the most wonderful 5 years on this earth, surrounded by a family who loved and adored her, and that she is now surrounded with ones who love her even more than this family was humanly able.  Pray that they will be thankful for the time that this precious one brightened their lives and returned their love with abundance.  And pray, especially, for a brother who must be experiencing pain, sorrow, and guilt beyond comprehension.  Pray that he would feel God’s love and forgiveness and comfort.

Here is a blog that has been set-up in her memory, and includes a video of Maria with her daddy.  Grab your Kleenex before you watch.

 

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