27 May, 2008
Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter killed by car in driveway
Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday evening after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.
Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by Life Flight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.
The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.
“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said.
No charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.
Singer/songwriter Chapman, who recently was inducted into Music City Walk of Fame, is one of contemporary Christian music’s most recognizable and most awarded names.
He and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria was the youngest.
The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah’s Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.
With his latest music tour, which came through Nashville in November, Chapman started a campaign called “Change for Orphans”. He asked audience members at each stop to bring spare change to the concert, where it was counted and given to a local family to aid in their adoption process.
“I don’t know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension,” said John Styll, president of the Nashville-based Gospel Music Association.
“He talks about his kids all the time. That’s his life. His kids are more important to him than music, that’s for sure.”
The tragedy was announced during Wednesday-night services at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, which the family attends. Maria had just graduated from the church preschool.
And word spread throughout the tight-knit Christian music community on Wednesday evening.
Most of the Chapman family was at Vanderbilt children’s hospital after the accident and could not be contacted. The long, gravel driveway leading to the home west of Franklin was blocked off by Williamson County sheriff’s deputies.
photo & story courtesy tennessean.com, 5/22/05
Unbelievable tragedy for the Chapmans
Jesus knows their pain...
John 11:33-37 (NLT)
33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34
They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about how Jesus cares and responds to us?
Jesus comforted his friends in their grief. He felt their pain. He cared for them. He cried with them.
Here's some more insight from Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE:
11:33-37 John stresses that we have a God who cares. When Jesus saw the weeping and wailing, he too wept openly. Perhaps he empathized with their grief, or perhaps he was troubled at their unbelief. In either case, Jesus showed that he cares enough for us to weep with us in our sorrow. This portrait contrasts with the Greek concept of God that was popular in that day - a God with no emotions and no messy involvement with humans. Here we see many of Jesus' emotions - compassion, indignation, sorrow, even frustration. He often expressed deep emotion, and we must never be afraid to reveal our true feelings to him, He understands them for he experienced them. Be honest, and don't try to hide anything from your Savior. He cares.
When I saw the story of the Chapman's little girl being killed, my heart and prayers went out to them. This tragic accident will continue to make the news for some time, but it will continue to be a painful question (perhaps for a long time) for the Chapmans and especially for the older brother who was driving the vehicle.
The pain for this family is probably beyond what most people experience, but it is not beyond the experience and mourning of Jesus that we find in today's passage. Jesus cared for his friends when Lazarus died. In the middle of grief, blame, unbelief, sorrow and questions, Jesus loved, cried, and demonstrated his authoritative power.
You may never experience the level of tragedy and grief that Steven Curtis and his family are experiencing. But Jesus cares for you in the same way He cared for the friends of Lazarus and the way He is caring for the Chapmans right now.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our story?
- Praise God that He is in control no matter what. Thank Him for His compassion and care. Thank Him for sending Jesus to show us what His love is really like. Thank Him that you can trust Him in times of tragedy and sorrow. Pray right now for the Chapman family. Thank Jesus that He knows you and cares for you.
- Read the entire story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:17-37). You will be reminded of Christ's power and purpose.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- As often as God helps you remember, continue to pray for His comfort for the Chapman family. Pray that God will use this tragedy to draw people to Christ as Steven Curtis communicates his story and God's Story in the future.
- Bring up today's story in conversation with friends and family who need Jesus. Ask them what the most difficult tragedy or accident is that they have experienced? Listen carefully and trust Jesus to show His care through you.
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