Sunday, March 27, 2011

Sacred Song

‎Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth lost their daughter in an accident that happened at their home. Just a few months later, their oldest daughter was married in the same place: at their home.

Their safest place held two extremes within one year: deepest heartache and harmonious joy.

"Yes, our home was the site where Maria was accidentally hit by a car and left this earth, but even though that all-consuming terrible thing had happened here, our home was also a place of powerful, happy memories. This was the place where God had met us time and time again; He had not been looking the other way [that day]. We missed Maria and our hearts were sad...but we also laughed with the most powerful sense of joy, the kind of joy that thrusts itself right up through sorrow. We knew that something powerful was happening in our home that day."

- Mary Beth Chapman, Choosing to SEE

I never would have thought I could live joyfully in a home where I had lost someone I love. In my worst nightmares, I couldn't have thought I could ever again find sleep in the bedroom where my husband died.

But somehow, somehow, I have. Somehow I do.

Laughter spills where tears have flowed.

The place sings with memories. And our home is far more sacred than I have ever imagined.

I laughed today. With my little boys. In our home.

This is a sacred song.

5 comments:

Leash said...

Tricia-
You don't know me but I work at Trinity International University and I want you to know that my prayers are with you and your precious boys daily. Your writing is so beautiful and I hope that it helps you as much as you help others.
Alicia

Mrs. MK said...

a miracle, isn't it? Praising God for you, and praying still.

Anne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anne said...

I read this and reflect back on the men who formed the "Wall of Blue" so you could keep the sweet memories you already have and enjoy laughter singing in your home once again. Those men knew what they were doing that day.

Terry said...

dear tricia...i remember this and it just seems like yesterday and yet it is almost three years.
the world was surely shown the faith of the chapman family, as they were interviewed by all of the major american news stations and even by larry king live and many more.
what a testimony of faith, and yet what broken hearts!......and what a dad curtis was as almost the first words out of his mouth, after the tragic accident were to his son , "will franklin, your dad loves you!"
tricia, i really can't even understand how you can be so sad and yet so happy. it is a mystery to me. i guess i will never know until i have experienced such loss, myself.
it will remain a mystery until then......love terry