Looking through the Window at the Hope in Grieving Souls
Maria Sue's picture was a "breadcrumb" of hope for her family and they cite it as also being a message from God for them to "see" that their faith and their hope is not in vain—that they will one day "see" and hold their precious Maria again.
In light of their recent Good Morning America, and Larry King Live appearances, I want to personally thank the Chapman family for their incredible openness and willingness to be used by God, as they allow the public to see them courageously journey through this tragedy.
That their courage and strength is unmistakably derived from their faith and close walk with the Lord, is evident—a window on the soul at which all the world can marvel.
It must be extremely difficult for them to continually answer questions about their grieving process while they are walking through it, but it is so inspiring. It is the very comfort of which the Apostle Paul spoke in 2 Cor. 1:3-4, which says: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Thursday night—watching Steven, his wife Mary Beth, their soon-to-be-married daughter Emily, and two sons, Caleb and Will—I was amazed at the "resolve to be honest" with which they answered Larry King's extremely direct and often dryly-asked inquiries into their heartache. (Photo: CNN.com)
I noticed a certain desperation in Mr. King's voice, to fully comprehend the hope and faith in the midst of darkness exuded by each family member. At one point during the interview, after asking Steven why they were being so open about their sad circumstance and his reply being that they wanted to share the hope they have in the middle of tragedy; Larry responded (with what sounded like exasperation), "I guess I understand." I do pray that Mr. King will come to know that hope that only comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
Indeed, later I learned that this interview had deeply affected Larry King—to the point that he actually produced a short video commentary on his experience of having the Chapman family there. I believe honesty fosters honesty, and that is evident in the rare, vulnerable way that Larry describes his impression of the Chapmans. You can watch Larry's short but very poignant commentary by CLICKING HERE, I really encourage you to watch it, and to be praying for this man.
Steven Curtis Chapman mentioned some of the "breadcrumbs" of light strewn along the dismal path they were trudging; one of which was given by the hand of his daughter on the very day she was killed.
After the accident, Steven had been asking God for some glimmer of hope to help get them through, and to let the family know that He is there—that their faith was real. Upon arriving home from the hospital that day, Steven found a picture Maria Sue had drawn just hours before the incident.
Maria had sketched a flower with 6 petals—"there are six kids in our family," Steven noted in the interview—only one of the petals was colored-in. The Chapmans had taken that to symbolize that one of those children was now "fully whole"—in the presence of the Lord. Maria had also written a word that her father didn't even know his five-year-old had known: "See." Under that word, she had drawn a butterfly; a symbol of resurrection.
Maria Sue's picture was a "breadcrumb" of hope for her family, and they cite it as also being a message from God for them to "see" that their faith and their hope are not in vain—that they will one day "see" and hold their precious Maria again.
Thank you Chapman family.
As the world watches, may each one "see" that great hope Believers have, through a faith in Christ that perseveres; enduring the sufferings we encounter in our lives. And may God's love, which never fails, cast away every fear, and reach into every heart touched by this priceless testimony.
To watch a video excerpt of the Larry King Live interview with the Chapmans, follow the source link provided.
