One Moment

It's amazing how one moment can change life forever. Sometimes we are glad and thankful. Sometimes we don't understand the moments or why life has to change. There are many of these kind of moments in our lives. Few as breathless as when a child is involved.

I, along with countless others, have felt as if we couldn't breathe when news began to spread about the tragedy in Steven and Marybeth Chapman's family life this week. On the same day of celebrating their eldest daughter's engagement and preparing for their eldest son to graduate from high school in a few days, Maria, their youngest daughter (who turned 5 a few days ago) was killed in a tragic accident when her brother who was driving didn't see her in the driveway. Oh my heart grieves for this family, especially the brother. I don't even know this family other than following Steven Curtis Chapman's career (he's one of my favorite songwriters) as well as the ministry they began and support as a family through Shaohannah's Hope (http://www.shaohannahshope.com/). And yet, I feel like I am mourning as if this was one of my children.

This morning I heard an interview on the radio by Steven that gave the background on a song he had written called "Cinderella". The company I work for also published a book with amazing art that features his eldest daughter, Emily, and their adoptive daughters from China: Shaohannah, Stevey Joy, and Maria Sue. The lyrics of this song have echoed through the halls of our bulding for most of yesterday.

Oh, I will dance with Cinderella

I don't want to miss even one song

'cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight

and she'll be gone . . .

So today, as we pray and grieve for this family who has opened their lives to us and helped countless numbers of lives through their music, their example, and their ministry of helping adoptive families . . . may we glean what God is wanting to teach us through this.

© 2007 Tucker Photography.(Left to right Will Franklin, Maria, Steven, Shaoey, Mary Beth, Stevey Joy, Caleb and Emily)

"I often hear talk in our circles about "God moments," times when something particularly amazing happens and we know God is involved. While I've experienced plenty of those and am so thankful for those times, I believe every minute we're drawing breath is really a "God moment." God is showing up in every moment and revealing something about Himself to us if we just have eyes to see it and ears to hear it, and most importantly, a heart to receive it."

~ Steven Curtis Chapman

From Cinderella © 2008 by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc.