Just read this tonight. Incredibly tragic.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee authorities say the 5-year-old daughter of contemporary Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman has been struck and killed by a sport-utility vehicle driven by her teenage brother. Tennessee Highway Patrol spokeswoman Laura McPherson says the girl, Maria, was hit in a driveway at the family residence this afternoon south of Nashville. McPherson says the Toyota Land Cruiser was driven by the girl’s brother. McPherson says several members of the Chapman family witnessed the accident. Chapman is originally from Paducah, Ky. McPherson says the brother apparently did not see the little girl. McPherson did not have the name or exact age of the brother. Vanderbilt Medical Center spokeswoman Laurie Holloway says the girl died later at the hospital.
Source: Delaware Online
I can’t even imagine what they are going through right now. Pray for God’s comfort for the family, and pray in particular for her brother.
Update: Fox News has a story on it now with more details.
Also in Iowa, we had a similar tragedy… a toddler was killed in her driveway by a meter reader who drove up and didn’t see her. Please pray for the Kochan family of Swisher, IA, as well.
2nd Update 5/23/08: There is a blog that been set up where you can directly share your condolences to the Chapman family.
You can also send condolences by mail to:
Steven Curtis Chapman
PO Box 150156
Nashville, TN 37215
Also, donations to Shaohannah’s Hope, a ministry started by the Chapmans to mobilize Christians to care for the world’s orphans is encouraged. Maria was adopted from China by the Chapmans and they have established a memorial fund where people can donate in lieu of sending flowers.
Source: Steven Curtis Chapman’s website
If you haven’t met Maria, here’s a video you can watch.
Very, very sad. I cannot even imagine.
I just read about the tragedy that has struck your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours in this awful time of sorrow.
Remember this, as my own family has just had a loved one to leave us and join Our Lord in heaven.
She may have taken her last breath here on earth, but do not dispare for in that same moment she has taken her first breath in new life with her Lord and Savior.
Know that her life was for a purpose and that though we may not always understand the reason for such to have taken her from this world, she has gone on to take her place in God’s kingdom where he has prepared a place for her. And know that while you are here on earth, she too will be waiting with arms wide open as the Lord prepares a place for you also.
I called my friend Rissa the moment I read the news on Yahoo..my heart is aching with Steven and his family during this time. I have two nieces adopted from China..and I know how desperately I love them both.
We prayed that God would bring deep comfort in this time of sorrow, we prayed God would flood the family with strength…and that God would be glorified through this.
I also pray that God would allow this tradegy to bring thousands of people to know Him..I don’t know how..or why..but God allowed this..so now I pray God will allow thousands to know Him because of Marias life.
I heard the news of the accident today on Family Life radio on my way home from work but did not here of her passing until i read the news online. I prayed while I was driving for the Chapman family. I pray The Lord will comfort them in there darkest hour. I will say another prayer tonight for her brother. May God be with the Chapman Family.
Oh God….
I’m so sorry…..
As I read of this tragedy, my heart melted. I feel sorrow for your family today. Words just cannot express how I wish comfort to you. I will pray for your family during this horrible time.
I am so very sorry for what you have lost.
Hey as I read the comments, I just want to remind everybody that I do not know the Chapman family, and I doubt that they read this blog.
So while you can leave a personal message for them, just realize that it likely won’t be read by a member of the family.
Heartfelt sorrow for all of the family. I am a huge fan and admirer of Steven. I hope their faith will get them through this tragedy. I will keep all of them in my prayers knowing that God will be with them and that Maria is now truly an angel. I remind everyone to pray for their son who will need the most support and comforting.
This is so tragic…all we can do right now is pray for their entire family. 2 years ago, my younger sister was killed in a car accident, and my teenage brother happened to be driving also.
The teenage son will deal with a lot of different emotions: anger, guilt, remorse, and probably depression at some point. I will be praying for God’s grace to overwhelm his heart today.
I read this story as well. This is so tragic, and we need to pray for a man who has given the Christian community so much through his music. Pray for the family as they mourn the loss of their youngest daughter. But also pray for the teenage son as his too will feel the pain of this trauma
I saw this as well. It is so very tragic. There are going to be a lot of times of overwhelming sorrow in that home for quite some time. I feel for the young person who hit her and for the pain he will feel for a life time. It is so hard to give up the keys to the younger kids in my home. Teenage driving accidents are going up and up in this country and whether it is the fault of the teen or not it is at epidemic levels and it scares me. And the enormous guilt and hurt that stays with the kids after they cause the death of another or if they tragically lose their own lives is beyond comprehension. Like Jenna said it is only the grace of God that can get them through this time. I pray for the best for them!
[...] here for the story. Only God is [...]
[...] here for the original blog post (where I first read the story), which includes links to updated information on other [...]
Our prayers for the family in this time of need.
I am a father to 2 little girls, and I just could not imagine the grief.. of Steven’s and his whole remaining family.. Me and my family will be praying for them..
My thought and prayers go to the family and friends. Anytime a child dies it is a tragic time. Prayers….
two additional links to share with your readers. God will use this for His glory and bring many to Him.
http://eugenecho.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/praying-for-steven-curtis-chapmans-family/
http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/inmemoryofmaria/
I also have felt the “Loss Of A Child”, it does not matter what age. Our son died at 29..I had a lot more time with my child than you. My heartfelt sorrow is with the family
I have followed this Christian family over the years. He didn’t say we wouldn’t have any sorrow but when something such as this happens – I just couldn’t imagaine. Please know our prayers with all of the family and may there be comfort knowing that this little child is safe in the arms of Jesus. For the boy that was driving, her brother, just remember nothing happens by accident. You may not know now but down the road God’s reason will be revealed to you.
Daily Prayers,
God Bless You,
CeCe – angel44210@yahoo.com
HOW TRAGIC FOR THE CHAPMAN FAMILY. LOSING A CHILD IS BEYOND WHAT SADNESS IT CAN BRING TO ANY CHILD ESPECIALLY AS YOUNG AS 5 YEARS OLD. GOD BLESS THE CHAPMAN FAMILY.
May the loving arms of your Lord and Savior reach down and surround you all with his mighty love at this time in need and follow all the days of your life ahead. All my prayers are with you all at this time. God Bless
My prayers are with the Chapman family!
Just read the news.May the God of all comfort,bring his peace and comfort to your hearts and minds.I know there will be many praying for your family.May you feel the everlasting arms of the father holding you close to him.
Our prayers are with your family….He is the great comforter, King of Peace and Lord of Lords. Rest in Him…..
To the Chapman family. As a mother of a child who was killed in a car accident, I can relate to a lot of the feelings you are experiencing right now. Please know that your entire family is in my prayers and thoughts.
God saw me through that time, and continues to give me the strength and courage to make it through every day, and I know He will give your family the faith, strength, and courage to make it through this day and the coming days. I will continue to pray for you and especially your son. Take care, and may God bless. In Christian Love, Sally Horen Ozark, Al.
I remember how shocked and devistated I was when my 5 month old granddaughter died under her fathers care. I will pray for your family for peace and for the enemy not to use it as a wedge in your family.
Prayers are falling like rain…The family’s pain is shared by so many…how devastating to lose any child, but to lose a child and break another’s heart and spirit is even more devastating. Our thoughts are with all who feel this tragedy…May God bless…
A tragic accident I have a son of 5 years and a daughter of 4. I can’t begin to imagine the pain and anguish Mr. Curtis and his family must be going through.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
This is very sad for this young man and his family. However, We have to believe this was her time to go. As people will moarn her loss, she will be running and playing on the green green grass, walking or running on the streets of goal, maybe even sitting on Jesus lap.
If i could just say one thing to this family would be to think of this not of death but she left for the Family vacation ahead of them, so she is the winner of this race and while having fun she will wait for the next one to take the trip. They will be missing her but she is safely waiting.
What a horrendous and painful tragedy. Words do not suffice in these times. Speaking as a mother of a 5 year old, I can’t even begin to imagine what this family must be enduring.
I lost daughter a 7 year old dughter 8 years ago and know the pain. Pray, pray and pray some more for the Chapmans. Pray and ask Jesus to wrap his arms around each and everyone of them.
Steven is a friend of our ministry, so we have a personal connection. I can’t imagine the pain. Certainly a need for prayer. I appreciate your blog.
Jim
I just hope people don’t say anything stupid like God is responsible for this, or he even allowed this.
That’s a pretty gut wrenching, terrible tragedy and I pray his family is comforted and strengthened and pray his daughter is made well again.
my hugs, thoughts and prayers are with all of the Chapman family, we are so very sorry. Continue to lean on the Lord, please tell your son to not feel guilty and to hold on to his faith . we will hold him and all of you highly in our prayers to the Great God. we have all suffered loss of a family, and yes, it hurts, but we must be strong and move on. God Bless.
Thank you everybody for your comments. I would encourage you to check out the update and leave your direct messages of condolences on the blog listed above.
Erik – you are aware that she passed away right?
I will pray for steve.
I simply cannot articulate the relentless heaviness that has remained with me upon hearing the news that such a selfless disciple of Christ and his remarkable family is enduring this heartbreak. My solitary prayer for the past 35 hours has been that God bestow an extra dose of grace on this family; and to help the son understand that mistakes and accidents are a part of the human condition to which no one is immune. He must forgive himself immediately – I honestly believe Maria would insist on it. My love and prayers are all over the Chapmans.
My prayers go out to Steven and his family. May the Lord comfort them and shower them with peace.
My heart and prayers go out for the entire Chapman family.
God comfort the Chapman family at this very difficult time. Our church here in New Jersey are praying for you, your ministry has blessed us tremendously. We your brothers and sisters in the Lord we love you and your family and believing God for your strength.
I am barely finding out of this tragic event. I first read it from our church’s blog page. Let us all pray for the Chapmans. Thanks for sharing.
Incredibly tragic, yes. God bless! Empathizing, 5 steps from Grief to Grace is my advice to the Chapmans, and you – you may read here my new essay on the subject: http://frankahilario.blogspot.com/
My prayers and love are with your family. We mourn the loss of those we love dearly and wish they were still here with us, so we can continue to love them, watch them grow and be loved by them, but…Maria is not gone…and she will never be in pain, or suffer from anything now, nor will she ever have to go through the coldness this world can sometimes put us through. She is loved in abundance with our Father in Heaven now and waiting to see all of her lovely family once again….one day. She was truly blessed here on earth with the parents and siblings who cared for her dearly and she is now twice as blessed in Heaven.
I wish I had the answers as to why we are tested as we are, but only God knows those answers and I believe it’s a personal journey for each of us.
God will mend your broken hearts, as we all know He will…and you have many who are praying your family through the sadness.
Sometimes our lives are touched by the sweetest of gifts from God and for those moments we are to enjoy them, cherish them and feel blessed that we experienced them for the time we had them here on earth. I know you did and you will see her again one day.
God Bless You and Your Family Steven.
Much Love and Prayers,
Your Sister In Christ,
Allie