I know that many stories are already circulating and that hundreds of bloggers have already paid tribute to the Chapman family’s loss of little Maria, but I wanted to take a moment to offer their family a prayer of strength and show just how much their five-year-old has touched my life–the life of a seventeen-year-old girl who is trying to live this thing called life.
If you haven’t already heard, Maria Chapman died Wednesday evening as the cause of an accident at the Chapman family home. The accident occurred after Emily Chapman announced her recent engagement to her family and just hours before Caleb Chapman’s high school graduation party. I cannot even fathom the pain that the Chapman’s are going through, but I do know the God that they are turning to. And He is the only One who can bring them through this storm.
God, I come humble into your presence today. I don’t have all the answers. I don’t understand why pain happens, outside of the fact that it can only bring us closer to you. Please wrap your loving arms around Steven, Mary Beth, Will Franklin, Shaoey,Stevey Joy, Caleb and Emily tonight as they attend the viewing of the youngest member of their family. God, I don’t even know Team Chapman personally, but you do. And you know exactly what they need right this very second. Please be with them. Don’t let go. Please allow them to feel Your love tonight. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
I never personally met little Maria, but after reading the blog dedicated to her life, I have been so touched by her short life. On the blog you can watch a video of Maria and her Daddy doing the dishes and just being goofy. Her love for life was so evident and she actually taught me a pretty valuable lesson today. We don’t control the air that we breathe or the days that we live. Anything can happen, but we must live each day to the fullest. I want to love fully and live as if I am dying. Don’t hold anything back. Life is not about the air we breathe, but about the moments that take our breath away. Forget petty arguments and silly jealousies. Be you and love it. The world can never have another Maria, but we can learn so much from the example that she left. Thank you Maria. You have truly blessed many people.
