Steven Curtis Chapman... Why him?

I don't understand sometimes. Carlos just called me with the news that Steven Curtis Chapman's eldest son accidentally ran over their 5 year old daughter this evening. Steven and his wife have adopted three little girls from China. He was a huge part in our adoption story. We found our adoption agency through him and we also got a grant through his ministry. So in a weird round about way I feel connected to his story. And that is why my heart breaks. It breaks because I understand the emotions that come with adopting a baby. It is totally different that having your own, and after all that work and commitment to bring a child home to loose them so quickly just makes me question why? Why? H

Comments

[Jamie Ivey]

I too wonder why. It doesn't make sense to me at all.

We also received a grant from them and I'm so grateful for that.

I can't imagine loosing a child.

[pam]

Breaks my heart. I'm praying for everyone concerned. May the Lord hold them up and sustain them.

[Christa]

This is just breaking my heart. We too have been blessed in amazing ways by the Chapman's and Shaohannah's Hope. They have been a HUGE part of our adoption. I just can't wrap my mind around this tragedy.

[Tricia]

oh how I feel for his son.

[jenn]

Heather,
I have been reading Carlos' blog for sometime now and recently found your blog but have never left a comment for you.

Ironically I was typing a blog post about something I have been going through, in not understanding why family friends recently lost a baby. And why they will likely loose their other baby (the girls are twins) to the same deadly disease. And how helpless I feel for the parents and their two older children.

I was checking blogs before finishing the post when I saw Carlos' post about the Chapman's. I deleted my post and did one asking people to pray for them.

I feel so guilty as of late questioning why these things are happening and now this. My heart is breaking for the family and for their sweet boy - oh what a road he has ahead. I just don't get it. Off to pray...

[eryn]

wow.. i'm praying! that's so sad.

[~abi~]

praying!

[Crazy Daisy]

OMG. this is such sad news. I'm keeping them in my thoughts and prayers

[Colleen]

I too thought "why God"? and then was quickly reminded that our Lord is sovereign and we have to trust, no matter what - especially when we don't understand. And that is so hard to do with even the little things, never-mind something like this. My insides hurt all over for them. I pray they are comforted by our Lord in this tragic time.

[Colleen]

I too thought "why God"? and then was quickly reminded that our Lord is sovereign and we have to trust, no matter what - especially when we don't understand. And that is so hard to do with even the little things, never-mind something like this. My insides hurt all over for them. I pray they are comforted by our Lord in this tragic time.

[pam]

We had that happen in our church years ago. A dad accidently ran over his 2 year old daughter. They have been forever changed yet God proved faithful. My theory at times like this is "THIS SUCKS, but I will pray". I can't even imagine the pain, the life sucking pain they are going to be experiencing.

[jen]

came in last night from a super relaxing diner with some girl friends, tucked the boys in and did a lil blogging....checked out life over here and got the news about Maria....I crawled into bed and sobbed. Kept thinking of each family member and how they will be broken for little Sister. Today the boys and I are praying for a diff Chapman at the start of each hour...cant even imagine where the road to healing starts with an accident like this :( We too were blessed with a grant. They are amazing.

[carole turner]

I woke up several times during the night thinking and then praying for the Chapmans. I like you, have applied to Shoahanna's hope for a grant for our current adoption from Ethiopia. I also, like you, have adopted already, our son Steele, and like you said, you can't help but think about all that and hurt for them all.

[R. Kristina]

Just made this post on Carlos's site:

Carlos and Heather,
The Chapmans are so dear to forever families. Thanks for putting words to this overbearing weight I feel in my heart for them. Learned about it on Heather' site, so I posted on mine and sent an email to folks to try and generate giving to their foundation. Here's my post tagging off Heather's:
http://sharingnotes.blogspot.com/2008/05/broken-hearted.html

[liz]

no idea what this family is going thru or what you as a parent with an adopted child is feeling because of this, but i do know i find peace by listening to Rick Burgess' sermon at his son Bronner's memorial service in January 2008, Bronner, age 2, died in an accidental drowning in the family pool while Rick was speaking at a Youth Conference.

Bronner's life and Rick's message have moved me more than almost anything I've heard in my short 30 years.
you can watch and listen online:
http://www.rickandbubba.com

scroll down the front page of their website and you'll see the link for Bronner's memorial page which links to video/audio/transcript of Rick's message as well as in the Show Archives you can listen to the show from the days following Bronner's passing - amazing praise and worship during that time.

[Jessica]

my heart is broken for this family. It is such a tragity. Not just the loss of their daughter but my heart is also broken for their son and what he must be going through right now.

[sonora]

This broke my heart, my brother was run over by a 15 pass van at her age it ran over his entire stomach, it was a miraculous day for our family, my husband saw my dad running over him and was able to stop him from being ran over twice.
I am so so sad for them.
They have touched our family as well with a large grant, I don't even know if we could have adopted both of our boys without them.
May Maria's Memory be Eternal

[cathi]

I have no answer. I don't even have any words.
The stegalls are praying for both their family and yours.

[Lana]

Terrible and tragic!! It's so hard to understand. Your headline got me thinking, though. Why not him?

I mean, why any of us? why not any of us?

God makes no mistakes, but the agony is so tough.

[Josh]

:( I hope Caleb forgives himself because certainly his little sister wouldn't hold it against him. Strength and healing is what they need. I pray they find both soon. Be with God sweet child.

http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/08/me_and_the_girls.jpg