Steven Curtis Chapman Reflects on Daughter’s Tragic Death

Fourteen years ago, Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman’s world was turned upside down.

Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, adopted their daughter Maria Sue from China in 2004. Just a few years later, when their daughter was five-years-old, one of the Chapman’s sons accidentally struck Maria Sue with an SUV in the driveway, tragically ending her life.

The heartbreaking story shook the Christian music industry and sparked an outpouring of love for the singer-songwriter who had become a fixture in the space.

Chapman, 59, appeared this week on CBN News’ Quick Start podcast, where he opened up about what it has been like to grieve such a profound loss with the eyes of the world watching:

“From the beginning, Chapman said sharing his story had to be a family decision. ‘Because when I’m sharing my story, I’m really sharing my family’s story,’ he said. ‘I’m sharing my wife’s journey alongside me. So it’s been a decision that we’ve made together, but it really has been also just—I feel like it’s part of what the calling [God has placed on my life] has been.'”

The “Cinderella” singer-songwriter said he has been most encouraged in his faith by the biblical stories from the Old and New Testaments of people who overcame profound trials, seemingly insurmountable doubts and unimaginable hardships yet still found solace in the presence of the Lord.

“The story of Peter, you know, walking on the water—it’s not just the story of him, ‘Man, he walked on the water,'” Chapman said. “What I’m encouraged by is the fact that he sank and he took his eyes off Jesus and he freaked out and he feared and Jesus pulled him up and he learned from that process.

“I’m so glad that God didn’t edit out those vulnerable places in the lives of even His followers in Scripture,” he continued. “In fact, He let some of those most vulnerable failures be written right into the story, and that gives such encouragement to me … Even as I’ve had this platform and this opportunity, it’s been very important that I stay very honest and that’s really the only thing I have to offer, anyway, is just the honesty through my music and my songs.” {eoa}

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