A call to prayer for the Steven Curtis Chapman family in the tragic loss of little Maria, shown here on his lap. (Photo copied from http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/ where you can read more about this family and this tragedy.)
The following song, Cinderella, was inspired in part by Maria. Although it was not ultimately a young man who took her away, his message of not wanting to miss any dance with her is so poignant today, as he sings that one day she will be gone. Listen:
5:7 Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.
8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.
Kathy, I am still a bit shaken by what my sister-in-law recently went through (a tragedy eerily similar to this one), so I will pass on the video...I am not a glutton for emotional torment. But my prayers are certainly with the Chapmans. Thanks for this post.
Mike, very similar tragedies indeed. Much pain in need of prayer.
Thanks, Voice, for the site link. Esther, Voice's link is one place we can post condolences to the family, and there's a video there of Maria. And of course you are right that the brother needs special prayer to be able to deal with this. Tragic accidents can involve any of us at any moment, and we need to wrap our arms around each other and love as God loves.
It the past week Mike posted the tragedy of the young child, at church we learned of a very similiar tragedy of another young child and now we have this similiar tragedy with Maria. It saddens my heart to hear about such tragedy and my prayers will be with all of the families.
I was also struck by the similarities, and the need for prayer for all these who are hurting. I have no other words, just tears, again. I, like Mike, cannot listen right now......
This is such a sad thing and has been weighing on my heart all day! I watched the video Voice directed us to. What a beautiful family, what a beautiful little blossom....oh, Heaven is so very blessed! I just pray, Lord that you will provide comfort to the family, ecspecially the brother! Lift them up in knowing that you needed their precious in Heaven and provide for them comfort and understanding! In Jesus name, I pray! Amen
Pastor Tim, Angel Spirit, and Ima, our prayers are joining with those of thousands who are likewise touched and saddened by this tragedy.
Cheryl and Dennis, yes, so very sad.
I do not believe that "everything happens for a reason." Sometimes things just happen. Tragedies. Disasters. But always, God is leaning down to hear our prayers and bring comfort to those who are hurting. See more discussion on this here: Where Is God When I'm Hurting?
I don't know that I will ever be able to listen to this song again. What happened to this child is a horrible tradgedy, but their son who accidentally backed over her, has got to be going through a terrible time right now. My prayers go out to the whole family, but especially to that boy. He will forever have to live with that.
Deb, I know what you mean. Maybe I shouldn't have posted the song. Several years ago a young man in my church died of cancer, and he planned his own funeral service as a worship celebration with a live worship band. A great idea, except that now every time I hear any of those worship songs, they don't bring up feelings of worship, but of death. I am praying with you for all the Chapman family.
Kathy, Kathy, Kathy !!! Let me encourage you to let these songs move your heart to resurrection! One of the things I miss, from being in an Orthodox Church, is their view of Easter Week. On Thursday, after His death, they take their icon of Christ down from the cross, and then bury Him underneath the altar. At this time, all the lights in the church are extinguished, all the icons draped in black, and even the bells on the censors are covered in black cloth to muffle their sound. A single light is placed along with the icon of Christ, under the altar. Then the priest censes and sprinkles everyone with water, from a hyssop branch. But, here is the important part, in the midst of the death and burial, the water is not ordinary, it's rose water! So, here we've placed Christ in the tomb, but still there is that scent of roses to remind us that there is resurrection!! I know that memories like these try to spark off memories of the loss, of the death, but remember the roses, waiting for that resurrection!!!
Dennis, your point, of course, is right on target, and I'm sure that is exactly what the young man desired as he planned his service. I hope no one else hears those songs with sadness, but with the joy he intended for us. I think we females are probably more apt to associate songs with past events, and I am guilty. Songs often take me back to wherever they touched me emotionally. I will take your advice the next time one of those songs come on my radio. Rather than changing the station, I will think resurrection and joy. :)
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