The clock has struck midnight
I just received news that Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter, Maria, was struck and killed by a Sport Utility Vehicle in her family's driveway yesterday afternoon. I am sick to my stomach with grief. Maria, at age five, is the youngest of three daughters the Chapmans adopted from China. The SUV that struck her was being driven by her older brother who did not see her.
Steven and his wife MaryBeth began Shaohannah's Hope adoption advocate ministry and have been a profound and impactful voice for caring for children at risk. www.shaohannah'shope.org
While I'm writing this entry I'm at the same time listening to Steven's amazing song Cinderella which he wrote for his daughters. Here are the lyrics:
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms'
Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I'd approve of a dress
She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh,
I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.
Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says "Dad, the wedding's due six months away
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh,
I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song, (even one song)
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
The clock has struck midnight for little Maria. She is gone from this life but not from the life that Jesus gives for all of eternity.
Please pray with me.
Oh God, our hearts break for the Chapman family. Our hearts break with your heart. Please hold little Maria in your arms. Wrap your arms of care around Steven, MaryBeth and their children. Heal their son who was driving the SUV. Let them all know the depths of your love.
Father, help us to love those around us knowing that the "clock could strike midnight" at any time. Help us to "not miss a dance" with those we love.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Steven and his wife MaryBeth began Shaohannah's Hope adoption advocate ministry and have been a profound and impactful voice for caring for children at risk. www.shaohannah'shope.org
While I'm writing this entry I'm at the same time listening to Steven's amazing song Cinderella which he wrote for his daughters. Here are the lyrics:
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms'
Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I'd approve of a dress
She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh,
I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.
Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says "Dad, the wedding's due six months away
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh,
I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song, (even one song)
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
The clock has struck midnight for little Maria. She is gone from this life but not from the life that Jesus gives for all of eternity.
Please pray with me.
Oh God, our hearts break for the Chapman family. Our hearts break with your heart. Please hold little Maria in your arms. Wrap your arms of care around Steven, MaryBeth and their children. Heal their son who was driving the SUV. Let them all know the depths of your love.
Father, help us to love those around us knowing that the "clock could strike midnight" at any time. Help us to "not miss a dance" with those we love.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
posted by Greg Nettle at 12:37 PM
5 Comments:
Amen,
How devastating on a human level (though we know this innocent one is now in the lap of her Maker). The lyrics to the song are tear jerkers as well, epecially given the circumstances. I will strive to love my wife and my daughters as if today could be our last together on Earth.
I pray with y ou for the Chapman family.
So sad to see a little one leave this earth so tragically. It is an excellent reminder to those of us, and to you who are involved in Compassion that this happens so many times every day... and they are all tragedies.
I pray for Steven and I am so sorry I am going to miss his concert next week. Another day and time I will have to see him in person.
Thanks for the post.
Greg, I read your blog faithfully and this one just really struck me. I have always been a huge fan of Steven Curtis Chapman and love his new Cinderella song. I think the lyrics of his song and this unfortunate situation made my heart sink because we have a daughter who will be 5 in August. I can't imagine the pain they are all feeling. However, we can find some comfort knowing they believe in Jesus and they will all be reunited with her once again. I prayed with you and will continue to lift up their family. Thank you for always sharing your love, life thoughts and sentiments. God is using you in mighty ways...even for those of us who are no longer living in the area. Gratefully His ~ Lori
Your blog was the first I heard of this, my heart is shattered for them. I pray in agreement with your words. Praise God, for the hope He gives...
Having been through this ourselves, nothing compares; but God is Amazing in the midst of such tragedies.
I feel really bad for the son, wow. I prayed your prayer, but also I am praying for him, and that God would sooth his heart/soul.
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