More than a concert

These 2 people are a big part of my day today..... and I have never met either of them. 

The sweet little girl is Maria Sue Chapman and that is her Dad, Steven Curtis Chapman.  They were meant to be together as you see them in this photo.  God put them together.  And they LOVED each other so much.  It reads like a fairytale.


But then this happened:

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

As if that wasn't devastating enough, it was a freak accident in which an impulsive 5 year old ran to see her brother, who was driving and didn't see her....... pain and tragedy beyond belief..... how to carry on?  and WHY? 


I followed the journey of this family from the darkest and bleakest of places, through their bewilderment to a place now of acceptance of the path their God has called them to for His purpose.  The Mom is this story is Mary Beth Chapman.  She shared the depth of her sorrow and pain and questioning in a very honest and real way and she grieved for all she had lost and hung on to all she still had.  I got her Book Choosing To See for Christmas and found it hard to read but good.....and very real.


Tonight Steven Curtis Chapman is in concert, he is a very accomplished musician as described here:

With nearly 10 million records sold, 56 Dove Awards, 5 Grammy’s, 1 American Music Award, 16 studio projects, and 45 career number 1 radio singles, Steven Curtis Chapman has made an overwhelming impact on Christian music. Beauty Will Rise, the new recording from Steven, is a collection of 12 new and profound songs from Steven Curtis Chapman. Created in the past 18 months in the walk through the darkness of the loss of his daughter Maria, and while God continues to meet him there on the journey. Part lament, part praise, part grief, part hope, part wrestling, part pondering; these tracks resonate as Steven’s personal Psalms. It is a desperately hopeful, raw, personal, and honest recording that is likely the most important of his already incredible 20 plus year ministry.

 

I got tickets for the concert for my birthday so I am excited to hear Steven tonight and both his sons will be with him too...... 

but first I have my work day, taking some OT to drive the McMath Girls Rugby team to West Vancouver for a match (an hour away) and then home and then back to Vancouver for the concert!!  Blessedly my parents are taking care of the kids for the evening and overnight so Allan and I can go out for a bite to eat after the concert.... like grown-ups :)