Little Maria Meets Her Prince
by Ted Slater on 05/22/2008 at 8:58 AM
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
And sometimes, for reasons beyond our understanding, she's gone before the clock strikes midnight.
Last night, as many of you already know, CCM artist Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter, Maria Sue, left us. Unexpectedly, the Prince tapped her papa on the shoulder and gently whispered, "May I have this dance?"
I can imagine the joy in Maria's eyes when she at last met her new Partner, when Jesus took her in His arms and spun her around the Ballroom, and as He shows her around the Castle, her new home.
May Maria's new dancing partner, the Prince of Peace, bring peace to the broken hearts of those who miss dear little Maria. And may we cherish our dances with the ones we love, while they're still with us.
1. Tami said the following at 9:28 AM on May 22:
I heard about this this morning, and I thought you'd have a post.
May God grant His perfect peace and comfort to all of the members of the Chapman family.
May His compassion become ours as we minister to those who have lost loved ones and are dealing with grief.
2. Andrea said the following at 9:45 AM on May 22:
I live near Nashville and heard about this sad news this morning on our local Christian station.
My heart goes out to the Chapman family, and they are in my prayers. I recently said my final goodbye to my grandfather after he lost the battle to a long illness, and that was difficult enough. I can't imagine the pain I would feel upon losing such a precious treasure as a young daughter.
May God's peace be with them in this difficult time.
3. Carrie (the original) said the following at 9:52 AM on May 22:
I read about this on another local and much more low-key blog this morning. (The time difference means we're up earlier than you CO people.)
A friend has been playing his CDs quite a bit lately. This is truly a tragedy and proves that even the unthinkable can happen to the beloved of God.
Just because you are His doesn't mean that you aren't going to get hurt. May the Chapman family find rest in the one who will wipe away their tears at the end of the race.
4. valerie said the following at 10:10 AM on May 22:
There was an article in Reader's Digest a while back with families who had lost children in accidents like this one, and it broke my heart. I can't imagine the burden of guilt her brother must be facing, and pray that he will be able to come to a place of peace.
5. Shannon said the following at 10:52 AM on May 22:
Well, Ted, you got me. I thought I was done crying, but that was the most beautifully written memorial of Maria I've read since I heard the news. It's a fully accurate description of the mingled heartbreak and joy that come with the death of a loved one. I have lost one child and I have my own five-year-old princess, so in many respects I understand what the Chapmans are going through.
I wish with all my heart that God had spared His servants such a tragedy, but I cannot wish Maria back from perfect communion with her Prince.
6. Linda said the following at 11:08 AM on May 22:
I'm just completing the adoption of my son; an adoption inspired by the work of the Chapman's, their family (specifically the 3 precious daughters adopted from China), and their organization which gives hope to so many people.
My heart is breaking for this family.
I pray God's DIVINE peace upon them, and strength to them all. I pray for their son and the measure of guilt that he may carry; LORD, help him to understand Your Divine Plan, and rid his heart of anything not of YOU!
God bless this family. God, please KEEP this family. And Lord in due season, please restore JOY to their lives!
7. Alice said the following at 12:14 PM on May 22:
My heart breaks for the Chapman family during this time of tremendous grief and pain. I pray the Lord will envelope them in His comfort and will bring them peace through their family, friends and community.
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
8. Marsha said the following at 7:28 AM on May 23:
Yesterday, I heard the tragic news of little Maria. My heart goes out to the Chapmans for the Lord to give them a peace that passes all understanding. My He be their Comforter at this time of loss.
9. Peter S. Chamberlain said the following at 8:27 AM on May 23:
Just caught this here and don't have details, but apparently another sibling was involved in this tragic accident. Our prayers must go out for him to find peace in his life, as well as for the entire family. God has already wiped all tears from little Maria's eyes and will forgive any mistake he made and do do so for the rest of this family.
I have known two families, successive secretaries and friends of mine, who lost young children, and one also lost her mother, in horrific fire accidents, and this is not something one can get through alone and without good help on earth as well as from God. Even Christians get some off the wall wrong ideas and questions in these terrible situations, a subject you dealt with in When God Doesn't Make Sense, etc.
I forget which of the contemporary Christian songwriters wrote and did the line "Instead of asking why did it happen, ask where it could lead you from here," that crossed my mind when I caught your headline on this tragic story.
I am thinking of another person, wife of someone very well known and who you may well know, whose life, I am glad, was not destroyed when she erred and was involved in an auto accident that caused the death of another young person.
10. DE Cannon said the following at 1:18 PM on May 23:
HIs ways are not our ways...and He has numbered all of our days. The Lord gives and He takes away. May we all cherish the moments we have with those we love and have a heart of gratitude for the time he has given us. God bless the Chapmans for filling this little girls' life with love during the days God ordained for her. I am praying for the peace of God for them--the peace that passes all understanding.
11. Irene said the following at 2:45 PM on May 23:
I hope and pray for peace for the Chapman family during this time of loss. I pray especially for their young son. May God grant you all His precious Peace and Love during this time of sorrow.
12. Joshua said the following at 9:51 PM on May 23:
This is a tragic story, yet there is no pain, no suffering in heaven with the Lord. May the Lord bless the Chapman family with perfect peace knowing she is in the presence of the Lord. And may the Lord give them the strength to get through this time.
13. Pam said the following at 10:55 PM on May 23:
I have long admired Steven Curtis Chapman and still remember the day I met him. Such a godly man and a true family man. My heart breaks for the whole family! I can't imagine what they must be feeling. Especially the son....may God hold you close up under His wing and enclose you in a special place of love, protection and peace that passes all understanding. May the outlook on your future still remain facing up toward Him knowing you are loved unconditionally always! God be with them and bless them all in ways they can't imagine, even in the midst of their pain!
14. Ramona said the following at 11:03 PM on May 23:
I lost my youngest when he was 19. Still home and in school.He loved the Lord and served Him well. I pray that the Lord will give you & your family the peace He gave me. Our flesh hurts but our hearts can rejoice, we know where they are. When I hurt I give the Lord thanks for giving him to me and picking me to be his mother for as long as he did. He always lifts my spirit with the thanks. When I sang in the choir I felt like I was with him singing God's praises. Always remind your son that only God has the power of life and death, so it was not really his fault.
15. jill said the following at 10:46 AM on May 24:
I am so sorry, i love his music, keep praying, reading the bible and don't stop singing, whatever you do, that's just what the devil wants, DON'T LET HIM HAVE VICTORY, WE ARE THE VITORS IN CHRIST. we will keep you in our prayers. jill.
16. M.V.Y said the following at 10:50 AM on May 24:
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Maria is not gone; she has simply slipped from our view and passed beyond the veil to eternal life with her Maker who knew and numbered all of her days before she was yet formed...Such knowledge is too wonderful for me... Where can I go from your Spirit?... If I ascend into heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in hell, behold You are there...Even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139.
17. heather said the following at 7:55 PM on May 24:
My heart aches for the Chapman family. I pray that the Lord will comfort this famiy,especially the brother. May God wrap them in his loving arms and carry them during this time. Maria is in the arms of perfect love.
18. Lisa said the following at 11:01 AM on May 25:
May our Father wrap His arms around the Chapman family and hold them tight during this horrible time in their lives.
I will be praying.
19. Bobbi Eskes said the following at 1:46 PM on May 25:
Our hearts are saddened and our prayers are with you all. In this day of negative media, I must applaud you for keeping the identity of which son was driving out of the spotlight. We pray that he will be able to accept that he is not at fault, it was simply a terrible, unavoidable tragedy. May he be blessed with God's comfort and peace. I pray this, also, for the entire Chapman family as they adjust to life without Maria's presence. May God bless them all with his loving comfort and peace through these difficult times.
20. Dawn said the following at 3:21 PM on May 25:
Our hearts and prayers are with the family. May the God of Peace comfort them!
21. Jeanne said the following at 9:27 AM on May 26:
Dearest Chapmens,
Although as your manager noted, "This accident was no surprise to God," from our perspective it seems like a huge challenge to deal with. My heart hurts for you and cries out for God to comfort and sustain you all.
Trusting His love and power to do so.
Jeanne
22. Linda said the following at 3:50 PM on May 26:
Our hearts go out to the whole family. We just can't imagine your pain but know that Jesus is with you and the people of God continue to pray for all of you.
We have a new adopted granddaughter as of a year ago and just got a grandson also adopted from Kazagstan, somehow we feel even more connected to you. We are so sorry. Love and prayers. Linda
23. Valerie said the following at 9:31 AM on May 27:
I had heard what happened to the
chapman family, and was deeply moved,
I immediately thought of the son
of Morris Erickson here, Morris
Erickson does 5 Day clubs, he is
the grandfather,He has a son, who
had a little baby boy about 11mths
old I believe, the baby boy was placed
in a child seat, and he took him outside, and accidently ran over
his own son, he gave a testimony at
our church, they are strong christians
just like mr. chapman and his family,
when people heard his faith, and how
he had to forgive himself, for taking
the life of his own son, it was so
deeply moving, I hope that helps
in this tragic situation, we must
remember our life here is temporal,
and these earthly bodies will be
changed to the imortal, I wish peace
and love to the chapman family,
in knowing it is in God's hands,
may you find the God of all comfort
griefshare.com has daily emails
to help...thank God for the chapman
family and their ministry..and
now is the time for the christian
community that has been so blessed
by mr. chapman and his music to
step forward and cover them in
prayer, for we carry one another's
burdens.
peace and love
valerie
24. Tami said the following at 6:54 PM on Jun 15:
Bringing up an old post...
For those who get the Gospel Music Channel, they've been running an episode of their biography show "Faith and Fame" that is focused on Steven Curtis Chapman. It appears to have been completed not long before Maria went home.
If you can catch a rerun, it's well worth watching. The part where he describes how he got the idea for the Cinderella song is very moving, especially in light of the events discussed in this blog post.
I am one who, in all honesty, tends to be cynical towards the Christian music industry -- but Steven Curtis Chapman truly impresses me. He comes across as a humble, Christ-loving man with a deep love for his family and integrity in spades.
I continue to pray for his family.
25. Fara said the following at 8:43 PM on Jul 23:
Steven Curtis Chapman, God be with you as you grieve your loss. May HE (our GOOD SHEPHERD JESUS) give you the peace that the world can not give. I have sung many of your songs that have inspired and comforted others. I am grateful for your gift of music with which God has blessed you. God is so good. May you see HIS love in new ways in the coming hours, days, weeks, months, and years to come. One step at a time you will spiral up out of the depths of the darkness you must be feeling. Keep your eyes on serving our GOD and HE will give you what you need. You know "HIS EYES" are always on you. "HIS EYES will never close in sleep and no matter where you go, you will always be in HIS EYES". So, yes, cry some tears today and then wipe them away and sing another song. You must continue to use this blessed gift of God! I have experienced several severe depressions and have had to reverse that negative spiraling. With God, all things are possible! HE did it for me, too. "Reverse negative spiraling"- stay in God's word and keep thinking positively. May God give you the strength that you need. HE loves you. God Bless You. We love you. Surround yourself with that love and keep movin' on! Keep encouraging others in the love and the WORD of God. Blessings to all of your family and friends. Take Care, Fara