SEE

In 2008, Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter, Maria, was killed in a tragic accident outside of their home. A friend recently shared a link for me to check out SCC's CD entitled "Beauty Will Rise," which he wrote after his terrible loss. Each song is an expression of his grief, aching, longing, and ultimately hope that I found to be very powerful and comforting. Over the past 4+ years I have found that as much as others who love me were willing to share my pain that there were limitations to what they could offer. I am at peace about that. And yet when I heard these songs, I was grateful to have some connection to someone who I felt could understand at least a part of it from his own personal experience, though our stories differ in many significant ways.

At times desperate, lonely, angry, disoriented, questioning, confused, and depressed, by God's grace and power I am no longer enslaved by these. Though I may still fall into these emotions from time to time, they have no lasting power over me as I am learning to trust and truly hope in God's promises - namely to be with me (Emmanuel) all of my days and the coming Kingdom of Heaven. Next month will mark 20 years since I accepted Jesus into my heart. It took almost 16 before I really longed for either of those promises. Now, I can't imagine living without faith in the only One who can make them. Hope makes a difference.

Here are a couple of links to SCC's songs that especially moved me and a link to his website.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-25KlfLJOFg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmNiTtbM6hM
http://stevencurtischapman.com/music/beauty-will-rise

God bless you,
Mark

PS Lucas is now 8. He's doing great!