A Friend's Tragedy

Steven and Mary Beth Chapman's precious little girl Maria was killed last night in a terrible accident. And as the news travels across the country and the world, Christians will accept the shock in different ways - some with great sorrow as if it were our own family or neighbor. Some less personally, but with just as much sadness. But we will all collectively mourn. Most of us from a distance - with only our own precious children surrounding us to hold and have and love for today.

An accident like this truly is -- in every sense of the word -- a tragedy for this family. The Chapmans are a family that loves family. The family was in fact celebrating family when the accident happened - an engagement and a graduation. And because they are such a remarkable family, and becuase Steven's music and spirit are so loved thoughout the Christian-Music world, there are countless other families grieving today. Grieving as if this tragedy were thier own. I am one.

If you've heard the story of how Steven and Mary Beth met, then you know that "You've Got Mail" was not just a 1998 romantic comedy. Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth Chapman shared a mailbox at Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana. I was the mailbox neighbor on their right who watched the romance unfold. I knew them both and we were friends - so I feel a certain kinship to them. I will mourn with them . . . from a distance. As is the case with so many people who come and go in our lives, we've lost touch over the years. So I watch this tragedy afar like most of you. I watch it as a friend. I watch with great sorrow. I watch it as a parent. I watch it as a Christian. Many Christians -- and non-Christians alike -- will be watching - watching to see how Christians deal with tragedy, and . . .

I cannot help but think of a song that Steven wrote several years ago in the midst of grieving the loss of another child - the child of a dear friend.

With Hope

This is not at all how

We thought it was supposed to be

We had so many plans for you

We had so many dreams

And now you've gone away

And left us with the memories of your smile

And nothing we can say

And nothing we can do

Can take away the pain

The pain of losing you, but ...

We can cry with hope

We can say goodbye with hope

'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no

And we can grieve with hope

'Cause we believe with hope

(There's a place by God's grace)

There's a place where we'll see your face again

We'll see your face again

And never have I known

Anything so hard to understand

And never have I questioned more

The wisdom of God's plan

But through the cloud of tearsI see the

Father's smile and say well done

And I imagine you

Where you wanted most to be

Seeing all your dreams come true

'Cause now you're home

And now you're free, and ...

We have this hope as an anchor

'Cause we believe that everything

God promised us is true, so ...

So we can cry with hope

And say goodbye with hope

We wait with hope

And we ache with hope

We hold on with hope

We let go with hope

In Deuteronomy 31:7-8, God promises to be with those whom He gives a difficult trial. Romans 14:8 tells us that life and death are in the Lord's hands and that He is gracious and fair and doesn't do anything without reason. Psalm 115:16 reminds us that the death of God's children is precious to Him.... that He loves them far more than we could ever imagine, and His grief is much deeper.

God mourns today. . .