10-25am
I’m feeling a bit ‘iffy’ this morning. I slept early in the evening, setting my alarm for 10-35pm, so Mike & I could go and collect Julian from airport on his incoming 11-20pm flight. Mike made a quick cup of coffee before we left. It was great to see him. After we got home and he retired to bed. Mike fell asleep and I was left wide away.
So, I lay in bed reading until 1-40am! The book I held in my hand was Mary Beth Chapman’s book ‘Choosing To See’, including the traumatic account of the sudden accident that occurred on 21st May 2008. In it the Chapman’s youngest daughter, Maria, just 5, adopted from China, ran onto the driveway of their home, not realising that Will, the Chapman’s younger son (who was 17 at the time & driving up the driveway) did not see her. He ran right over her. She did not survive. The raw grief that followed leaped out of the pages, holding me captive, transporting me to a level of pain I could not imagine.
Mary Beth’s honest account of exactly what happened and the dark days that followed was a roller coaster ride. It bought into sharp focus how even the strongest Christians, with the biggest faith, on a massive public stage are going to struggle when faced with tragedy of such big proportions. There are no easy answers. Steven Curtis Chapman’s music took on a whole new meaning after the heartbreak, writing and recording the songs on Beauty Will Rise. Refusing to sink into a dark bottomless pit of despair and faithlessness, the family, in one accord, clung to the only hope they have, Jesus Christ.
“As far as you’re concerned, you were planning evil against me, but God intended it for good, planning to bring about the present result so that many people would be preserved alive. “Genesis 50:20
Were they angry? Absolutely. Did they all struggle with guilt. Definitely. Did they need counselling? For sure. Were antidepressants prescribed? Yes. Did they lose their faith? NO!
Being an internationally recognised family, prayer and support arrived from all corners of the world. It made me think of the families right here in Cape Town, South Africa, who don’t have that support. Who grieve, alone. How my heart breaks for them. Mary Beth’s words gave me insight into the mind, heart and spirit of a grieving mother, of a heartbroken family. How can I reach out to them?
Hectic stuff, grief. You have to let time pass to get perspective on it… to understand that you may never get over a tragedy but you will get through it. Happier days have come for the Chapmans… two weddings, graduations, more success, helping with more adoptions, but they are more fixed on eternity and the things that really matter in this world, than ever before.
It’s not over, til it’s over, but I think the Chapmans showed how it’s done.
No wonder I’m feeling a bit iffy today. Sad, thought provoking stuff! I will lighten up as the day progresses. With Julian here, we’ll go see Despicable Me 2 later! Ha ha! Bringing out the heavy duty movies!
Life is for living!
God bless you loads! You are loved.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂