Tragic news is coming out of Nashville today with the death of Maria, the five year old daughter of US Christian Singer, Steven Curtis Chapman.
This report from The Tennessean tells us that it seems to be a tragic accident.
Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.
Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.
The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.
“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said.
Steven Curtis Chapman’s recent release, Cinderella, was written partly for Maria. He spoke to Bethany Christian Services about the song.
This song was inspired by my two youngest girls. One night I was giving them a bath and trying to get them in bed. I was hurrying and became frustrated. After I got the girls in bed, God convicted me not to miss these moments because kids grow up so quickly. The song is called ‘Cinderella.’
I’m sure that the family will appreciate our prayers at this time.
I have now written an update about the tragedy and included a radio interview with Mike Rayson from Nashville about the pain of losing a child. You can read more at Remembering Maria Sue Chapman.
Steven and Mary Beth,
You guys have allowed us to be an extended part of your family by being so open and transparent with us over the years, revealing your most intimate feelings and thoughts through your music. It is as if we have all lost a daughter today. Thank you so much for the ways you have encouraged us all through times of tragedy and loss. My prayer for your family today is that God will visit you through those who love you, and even those you don’t know, to bring you comfort and healing. May the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, now comfort you through those who have received His comfort. Blessings and love,
Brad Teague
Fort Worth, TX
No matter what happens in life or the reason, we know that God is always with us!
May God bless you and your family, especially your son, who I will pray for peace. My heart is with all of you and especially your son since I have 2 young sons of my own and I understand how fast things can happen. I send all blessings to all of you and prayers for strength. I do not have the words to make it better but I will continue to pray for your family.
How my heart aches to hear this news – but our God is sovereign in all things.
Steven – your music has ministered to me and God has richly blessed you in many ways; Remember His promises and His faithfulness – that’s what will get you through this time. Prov. 3:5-6. I pray that your family will be comforted knowing that your daughter is with Jesus and that your son will allow God’s love to heal his hurting heart.
No words can begin to repair the heartbreak of this loss. Only Jesus…. Our prayers go up on behalf of this precious family. We grieve with them and for them.
My prayers are with this family. His music is so inspiring and I know that something great will come from this tragedy… God will not take you to it if he’s not gonna bring you through it. My prayer also goes out to the Son who has to be hit the hardest since he was driving, it will affect him forever without the love and pray of everyone that knows him and the family. God always has a master plan, we may not see it or understand it, but its in place.
What can anyone say. I have lost a child and know somewhat how this father may feel. We need to keep in the son in our prayers as well. The song “Cinderella” will take on a whole new meaning. I have been in a state of prayer all day. I pray that God will surely wrap his arms around the the Chapmans and know that He will be there.
This is indeed very sad news. Our church will be praying for the family tonight. This is a double edge loss. We will also be praying for the teenager who must be overhelmed with guilt and sorrow.
My sister just told me the news. It was so shocking. I just had to stop and catch my breathe. At times like this I know the question,”Why would God allow this to happen” may come to your mind. Although this is such a horrible tragedy, the Lord is still in control and will still be your strength to make it through. You and your family just hang in there God has not forgotten you. Think of how she is not dead but rather just gone for a little while until you see her again. Her life now will be greater than it ever has been. You and your family will be in my prayers continually.
With deepest sympathy,
Your sister in Christ
Truly, a time for God’s grace to work in all our hearts.
Chapman Family.
We are very sorry for your loss. We will be praying for you and your family that Jesus, our mighty comforter, will help you through this time. Our hearts go out to you. Sincerely, Matt and Melissa
Steven to You and Yours… family is a precious gift from our Father and we grieve when you grieve. Your extended family in the body of Christ is very upset for your loss. Please remember one thing, you are not alone.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I pray that your presence will be with Steven and his family during this deep loss more than ever before. Lord comfort this sweet family and bring people their way that are sensitive with Your best in mind. Don’t let the public and publishers bother them to the point of frustration. Make room for them to process this whole thing and speak to them concerning Maria. Help them through the planning that they need to do and guide them through this life transition. In Jesus name, Amen
Dear Chapman Family,
I have experienced the loss of a child. I know your pain. I promise you that the Lord will restore you in all ways. As He says, there is a time for all things – even mourning. He spoke to me clearly about my own mortality after my child passed away. I was reminded of my eternal soul and how one day (in the blink of an eye) I too will be with Him. Remember when King David fasted, tore his clothing and prayed so mightily for the life of his child? It surprised his family and friends that when the child died, David lifted himself off the floor and ate. When asked why, he replied that now he (David) would be the one to go to him (his child) and meet his child in heaven. I believe David was powerfully comforted by this….as am I. The Lord said that we see through a glass darkly (in part) but that one day we will see Him face to face and know Him as we have been known. I can’t wait for that day. May the Lord bless you and your family (and especially your son) all the days of your lives. May faith, hope, peace and love overcome all things in your home….
Dear Steven, Mary Beth and family,
My heart is breaking for you at the loss of your little one, Maria. I’m also so sorry that one of your young sons is dealing with such pain having not realized his sister was in the line of the vehicle.
Please know that my family and I are lifting you all up in prayer asking the Lord to comfort you. We know Maria is with Jesus, but it will take time for you all to adjust to this tragedy.
God bless.
Joan Trout
Praying for peace and comfort for the Chapman family that comes from above!
Our prayers are with you,
I won’t offer any cliche’d sayings or empty offerings. We both know who’s fault this is. God doesn’t do these things to test your faith. There will be people who will say, “Well, we know all things happen for a reason.” NO! That is just opening a door to blame God or blame your son. Do not receive that. Satan will try to lie to you and make you start wondering “why”. So, Yes… there is a reason. But, God didn’t have His hand in it.
The Word says: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. And you know that Satan comes for no other reason than to kill, steal and destroy. So, keep your eyes on the Lord and remember who this battle is with. Don’t let Satan damage your faith!
Maria is with our Heavenly Father. I have no doubt of that. It is a small reassurance at this time. She is gone. But rest in our divine hope and promise that you will be with her rejoicing for eternity.
I don’t really know what else to add. Just to tell you that your brothers and sisters in Christ are here for you. I cannot imagine your pain. But we love you and your family. The love and peace of Christ Jesus be with you in this time of loss and always.
The DeSoto Family
Steve, we saw you in concert last fall in Aiken, SC and you had your precious daughters on stage with you. OUr family also adopted a daughter, Nina, from Russia. We got her when she was five and is 17 now. What a blessing adoption has been in our family and entire lives. Thank you for the great work you do and the inspiring music you give us. May God give you and your family comfort and strength at this unbelievable tragic time. You all are in my prayers.
Steven and Family -
I so admire what your family stands for and your hearts for Jesus and for the “orphans and widows”. As a fellow adoptor or a beautiful Chinese girl from Guangxi province, I know what a special place in your heart Maria must have had, and I mourn with you and will pray for your entire family. Our God is awesome – Paul wrote “Who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should give Him counsel”. In some mysterious way, our Almighty Saviour will use this in your lives to purify and sanctify you all. God Bless you and I pray that the Lord will quicken all of you to continue in His service.
I would like to lift up this family to you Lord, may they find comfort and answers in you.
My husband and I are one of the blessed families who received a grant given by this amazing family. It is so hard to understand why such a giving family would experience such a tragedy. We are all lifting the family in prayers. I can’t imagine the hurt they are feeling for their daughter as well as their son. May the Lord comfort the family during their incredible loss.
Dear Chapman Family;
Heaven has a brand new precious angel! How wonderful for Maria, but how heart-breaking and devestating for you that are still here. I will be prayiing for all of your family and I will lift your son also that he will find peace and comfort from his Heavenly Father. I pray God’s grace and love will sustain and keep you in the days, months and even years to come. I do not understand God’s ways – my faith has to kick in really strong and remind me that His ways are best and ‘He doeth all things well’. Your testimony, talents and your family has touched more lives than you will ever know. Please know that thousands upon thousands of people are lifting all of you up, praying without ceasing.
God Bless You.
I was devastated to hear the news of your daughter Maria. My heart and my prays go out to your family. I know of your work for a few reasons close to my heart. My two adopted nieces from China who have brought so much joy and love to our family. I had recently volunteered at your concert and was amazed how the people believed in your cause and believed in you. Your love for your family was well felt and I would just like to express my deepest sorrows. My prayers are with you and your family thru a most diffucult path your family has to take. You love and faith will bring you thru this.
I am so – so – sorry…
My 4 children – 25years down to 16 have been listening to your music for a very long time — several may have seen you at Christian concerts and were introduced to your music by one of the youth pastors at our church in Darien CT. One son was in a Christian band which I had the privileged to drive about in my suburban since there wern’t any licensed drivers…what a blessing indeed.
I really have no idea what to say, yet tears come to my eyes, I know how my heart would hurt if I were in your situation. Last night I was reading Max Lucado’s “No wonder they call him Saviour” and the thoughts by Max are so insightful; each and every simple chapter. Simple because he explains everything with such insight from the Saviour, our Lord.
May your heart hal in time and know hte Lord has a bigger plan than we can imagine.
Prayers with you and your wonderful family!
Alice Kays
hal = heal — hte = the – I should spell check every thing
Truly my prayers are for you all for God is Good; no God is Great – All the time…
In Gods Sure Love — Alice Kays
Dear Chapman Family,
My family and I were so sorry to hear of your tragic loss yesterday. We cannot even begin to imagine what kind of grief and shock you all must be in right now. As Christians, we do experience the joy and peace within that comes from the knowledge of know that your precious little angel is not resting in the arms of Jesus. However, the day to day existence here on earth for all who knew her and loved her will be excruciating painful I’m sure. Our hearts ache for all of you and especially for big brother as he deals with all the feelings of this tragedy. We pray that God will wrap His arms of love and strength and peace around each and every one of you in the days and months and years to come.
I have the privilege of teaching 4th grade in a Lutheran School and during our devotion time this morning I shared your story with the children to remind them that when one part of the Body of Christ hurts, we all hurt. I shared with them that we never know what God has in store for us from day to day, so it’s important to live each day to the fullest for our Lord and Savior.
Thanks for being such a witness to us in so many ways through your ministry. May you feel the prayers reaching out to you from all the lives you’ve touched through the years.
May God be with you all at this time and always.
In His Love and Ours,
The Freitag family in WA
To Steven, Mary Beth and family…So, so terribly sad for you all. May you all feel God’s everlasting arms around you at this time. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. Helen (Mandurah Western Australia)
My heart goes out to the Chapman family at this difficult time. They say it rains on the just and the unjust and for everything their is a reason. I sometimes find it difficult to understand, as I am sure many do, that these things happen to the best of people. *tears*
I don’t know if the Chapman family reads any of these comments but if so, then let me say this: She was a tiny Angel who made you smile, filled your hearts and God chose your family to love and care for her while she was here visiting. May your hearts mend from her leaving so soon, and may you always smile and your heart overflow with the love, joy and precious moments she brought down from Heaven to add to your lives. God knew what he was doing when He chose for you to have her. He always knows what He is doing.
Bring comfort to one another knowing she is not gone, but Home now, in Jesus’s loving arms, sharing with Him her time she spent with you and how wonderful all of you are, how much she was loved by you and how much she loves you. You will see her again one day.
For Chapman’s son: Hon…God didn’t have His loving eyes closed when this accident happened. I am sure of this. Although I can’t tell you the why’s or how come’s in this, because none of us know all God’s reasons for everything, but I do know He is there for you and loves you and does not wish you to suffer with this. I too will pray for you and your family, as all of these wonderful people in here are doing for you as well.
My prayers are with you and for ALL that have gone through such a painful experience. God will bring you comfort and His strength to get through.
God Bless
I cannot imagine the pain of a parent burying their child. My prayers go out to Steven and his family and especially his son.
Dear Steven, Mary Beth and family,
Thank you for your ministry over the years. It was devestating to hear of the loss of your little one. It is times like this that we long for heaven as we know there will be no heartache or sorrow when we get there. Maria is in the place she was created for, how wonderful for her. I pray for the rest of your family and especially your son, that he does not believe the lies Satan will test him with. Lean on God, he has promised his comfort and support and because of his Son’s death on the cross, we can believe he means it.
Praise God at this moment, the world is praying, that the girl Maria will be alive.
In the name of Jesus.
We from Holland, pray also with the whole crowd, in Lakeland.
God do a wonder as a testimony for Your glory.
Dear Stephen and family
I am so sorry to hear of our great loss and pray that the Lord will comfort you in and through this difficult time; especially for the restoration of your son who must be feeling particularly distraught about the accident.
May God grant you the peace that surpasses all our understanding through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, who said “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world give I unto you. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33)
Blessings in His Name – Richard
Steven, Mary Beth and Family,
It is not known to us why things happen. The day my daughter was born I recieved news of a devistating death. You and the family were celibrating, new life both for your daughter in marriage and your son in his graduation. God knows all things, sees all things and, loves us throuh all things.
Will, from one brother to another, please, PLEASE do not let this turn you away. I also had a loved one torn out of my life. for years I carried the guilt that it was my fault and tried to punish myself for what had happened. Speaking from experience, if you do not forgive your self the way God AND Maria have already, you will walk this earth with a weight that will try to kill you. Give it to God, and then rest in his arms. It will take a while to pass from the guilt stage, and the pain will never really be gone, but I still carry the pain as a reminder of who I lost and what she ment to me.
You dont know me, but that will not stop me from praying for you, loving your whole family as if it were my own, greieving with you in our loss of a precious sister in the lord and a wonderful daughter/sister.
Steven and Mary Beth, my wife and I lost a child and I know the pain you are going through. No, life is not fair. And yes, bad things happen to good people. But if there is one thing I have learned from your music Steven, its that 1) God is a loving and caring God. 2) No matter what, if we let Him, God will lead us through all things. 3) The Holy Spirit can, will and does comfort in all cases. This will not pass easily, and no one can or should tell you other wise. We all love you both and the ministry your whole family has served at.
I would ask you please, PLEASE allow us, all of us in your christian family to now minister to you in any and all ways as you work your way through this.
May the God of our fathers cover you and the family with the comfort and healing save that only He can provide.
Dear Steven, Mary Beth and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Our little Ashley died 14yrs ago. She was 9. I thought I would die with her. The guilt I felt because I couldn’t save her still comes back sometimes. Your son will need to always remember that God knows the number of our days and that there are no accidents.
I saw you sing at Prestonwood Baptist here in Plano and you sang a song for a couple who had lost a child. That song always brings me to tears. Seek out others who have lost children for support and let your children have support from other children who have lost siblings. My other 2 children were 1st grade and 4 when Ashley died and I didn’t realize how guilty they felt. Everyone thought they should have been able to save her.
God blessed in many ways during our terrible tragedy. The love and support we received and the life long friends we have made. We went on to have a 4th child. A beautifully little girl who was born with down syndrome. Her name is Sarah. Many people from church said everything will be fine you’ve been through so much. I knew differently. We’ve been through the worst. Raising a special needs child is nothing. God knew how much love there would be. He always knows.
God Bless,
Rene
Dear Steven, Mary beth and family,
There are not words that are adequate to express how sorry I am. I can’t imagine what your going through and I won’t pretend too. I know that we don’t know each other but my heart truly breaks for you all. I pray that you will see the love and beauty of our Lord through your pain. I don’t know what to say, nothing seems good enough, but I keep hearing this this inside of me, “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, lean not upon thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths”. Fall into the arms of Jesus, and know that your family in Christ are with you in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless,
Lori
Dear Steven And Mary beth
God is a good and gracious God he knows your pain and he will sustain you in this time of saddness.It is a terrible tradigy for you and my heart breaks for you you can find comfort in knowing she is with Our Lord And Savior today knowing you will see her again.
Know you have so many in the Family of Christ all over the world Prying for you. Know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless
Debbie
PS A special Heart flet Prayer Goes Up for Your son for emotional and physical strength at this time.
Dear Steven< Marybeth and family,
“Be of good courage and of hope, The father loves you and he knows”
Thank you for your example to us all in life, song and witness.
As we share your pain, may we awake more to fulfill our purpous here.
Find strength from our prayers to stand strong and continue to share His love
grace and mercy even now.
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. MARIA OF COURSE IS WITH OUR FATHER,( WE MUST BE PROUD OF THAT. I PRAY IN JESUS NAME THAT YOUR SON SURRENDERS HIS PAIN TO JESUS, THIS I AM SURE VERY DIFFICULT FOR HIM..IT IS THE BROTHER/YOUR SON WE NEED TO PRAY -FOR CONTINUED STRENGTH AND FAITH IN OUR DEAR FATHER ABOVE. AS A FAMILY SURRENDER THE PAIN AND SADNESS, OUR GREAT FATHER WILL CARRY YOU THORUGH THIS, MAY ALL YOUR HEARTS STAY SOFT – THE LORD HAS GRACIOUSLY PROVIDED US MEMORIES, SO WE CAN ALWYAS SEE OUR LOVED ONES.. MAY YOUR MEMORIES STAY VIVID FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAYS.. YOUR SISTER IN CHRIST
Dear Chapman Family,
My heart goes out to each and very one of you. I’m deeply sorry for your loss. I have many times read the story that led you to want to adopt and I think that what you do is wonderful. I know how you must feel about losing someone that close to you. I myself have lost people very special to me. I pray for God to give you strength. I can only hope your family will grow stronger and closer together. It is no one’s fault I have learned from experience but all apart of God’s plan for our lives. Again I’m sorry for your loss.
Elaine Spencer
Louisville Ky
Dear Chapman Family,
Our prayers are overwhelemed with sadness with the loss of your daughter.
We pray that God will hold you close and give you his overwhelming peace
at this most difficult time in your lives. Know that so many of us are uplifting
your entire family to the Lord. Your son, especially has our prayers of comfort
knowing that accidents are just that, Accidents. God knows the beginning from
the end and in that, we rest our trust. May God be right beside you as He has
promised to be. Our Love to you.
Ken and Erna Eischen
Mr Chapman, My heart and prayers go out to you and your family…I truly can’t Imagine what you are going thru right now…But I do know you and your family have very strong Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ…I am not going to quote any verses. Just hold tight to Jesus…He is the way!!! God Bless You All, In Jesus’s Love Ron