This post is extremely difficult. I've been debating which of my blogs I should even discuss this because of the heart wrenching matter. I've always aimed to keep Bella's blog as lighthearted and happy as possible. However, since the topic is about a Daddy's little girl I will make this post on Bella's Blog. I know Lesley http://lesleyworld.blogspot.com/ (sorry, I can never figure out out to insert links correctly) posted about this on her blog a few weeks ago. The topic is Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, losing their little girl,Maria Sue, in a freak accident at their home. Their Son Will Franklin ran her over in the family's driveway with their SUV. When Karen and I heard this our hearts just sunk. Whenever his song, Cinderella, came on the radio we would immediately change the station. It's just human of all of us to want to ask, WHY? Why would God allow a man on fire for Christ to be burden like this? HOW? How can the Chapman family even move on from this? I would ask myself these questions during their mourning period. When Lesley talked about the family being on Larry King, Karen and I were bummed that we missed it. One, I was so amazed that the family had the courage, strength, and heart to open themselves up to questioning that they knew was not going to be easy. I'm sure some of the questions had to smart to a still healing heart.
Well, yesterday and today, Steven Curtis was on Focus on the Family, with Dr. James Dobson. I was so impressed and strengthen by him. Like the verse goes, Iron sharpens Iron. What I appreciated about Steven going on the air with Dr. Dobson was he kept it real. He just didn't sit there and go, "Well, God turns all things for good", "God has a plan and a purpose". No, while he knows those statements are true and are biblical, he opened his heart to what he was really feeling. He shared a statement that his wife, Mary Beth, made after the Good Morning America interview. She said, "I know our story will strengthen other people. I know God will turn this for good. But, I don't care. I want my baby back. I miss her everyday". Here is a woman who stands on God's word but is still human. Still hurts. Steven commented on himself. He told Mary Beth after this tragedy that he knows one song he won't ever be able to sing. That being Cinderella. He wrote this song a couple months before Maria Sue was taken from them. There is a line in the song that says, "and the clock struck 12 and she was gone". He said, one, it's just too painful for him to sing that song, two, he knows how hard it will be for people to listen to that song and to that verse. However, he was performing again in July and was singing the song before Cinderella in his "normal" set. The song was, I will be here. On stage he was thinking, you know if I truly believe God's promises then Cinderella is not a sad song. I know one day I will get to dance with her again. He's right. All the why, what, how will all be answered one day in heaven. I thought I would post the lyrics to Cinderella if you don't know them:
CINDERELLA LYRICS
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.
Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
but I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
(even one song)
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
I write this post because I can't even allow myself to think about this happening to us. One hand, I'm just in awe of the Chapman's for having the strength they have and on the other the realness of their lives, emotions, and know they battle each day with the heartache of losing Maria Sue. He sung Cinderella on the air today. What I found to be awesome is he changed the last verse of the song to, "and the Dance will go on!" Totally Beautiful.
Karen and I had a chance to be volunteers at a Winter Jam Concert here in St Louis. Steven and his two sons, Will and Caleb, performed with him. Their band, The Following, performed as backup to Steven. We were right by the stage and this man and his family are the same inside and out. Maria Sue was there and he brought her out on stage. These are the people you should ask yourself, "How can I walk this walk for God like them" You see, they don't proclaim perfection, just an honest, walking this out, the best they can, with a heart of Christ to what God has called us all to be- Messengers of the Message.
Steven said today, "Don't hold on to what was or what might be". Cherish these true gifts from God. Because none of us including our children know when God will call us home. So I encourage each of you to cherish your children and the children in your lives. Hold them, talk to them, spend time with them because the laundry and work will always be there. Our Angels have no guarantees!
So in closing, I just ask that each of you keep the Chapmans in prayer and hug those babies big and small!
Have a great day!
3 comments:
What a great post. I did happen to record the episode and was amazed at this family's strength and courage. I will watch for it to repeat on CNN and let you know. I feel like some of the talk shows will have this on as well in the Fall.
You're right, we need to make sure to hug our babies tight and love them every minute of every day. I make sure to tell mine that as often as possible. We never know when God is going to call us home, so we need to cherish life.
I'm like you and Karen, the first few times I heard the song I would get emotional. The words are very powerful. I love the song now and will listen to it when I get the chance. Give Bella a hug from "auntie" Chelle
Have a good afternoon.
That story really touched me too and I will keep their family in my prayers. I admire their faith and their strength.
Yes, I have this song on my playlist on my blog and it tears me up every time I hear it. Yet I listen because of the truths. It keeps me grounded on 'tougher' days.
Your baby is a precious doll! How sweet that Daddy is documenting in such a detailed manner the journey of her little life --- I hope you make it into a book for her! How cool would it be to have a photo journal of Daddy's thoughts the first year! It's almost always Mommy's, right?
Anywho, just to help you out, to link in your post, here's some directions, since you're a fellow Cardinals fan and all...except for that Yankee garb...
OK, create a new post.
Type the word you want to link.
Open a second internet box, go to your desired website, click and copy the address.
Return to your post.
Highlight your link word.
Click on the glasses over world-looking button at the top of your post.
HERE'S the trick. Delete the highlighted 'http:' on that second line. Odds are likely you already have that in the address you copied, so if you leave it there, it will be there twice and won't work.
After it's deleted, paste the address in the line.
Click OK.
Should work!
Thanks for stopping by my Missouri blog from BAThW!
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