Broken

Tonight, I am truly at a loss for words.

I just found out from a close friend some terrible, tragic news. And as I sit here at midnight typing on my computer, completely broken hearted and unable to sleep, I know that the grief I am feeling is nothing compared to what one family is experiencing tonight. Please pray for the family of Steven Curtis Chapman; their youngest daughter, 5-year-old Maria was killed just this evening. The most tragic part is that she was killed after being struck by a car in her own driveway; the driver was her brother.

Not only does this hit close to home because of my admiration for the Chapman family and the fact that they were the ones who inspired us to adopt from China, but also because she is the same age as my little sisters. And her brother is right around my age. I pull out of our driveway every day, multiple times per day and while I'm always careful.. accidents can always happen. I cannot even begin to imagine what her older brother must be feeling.. it's grieving me to even think about it.

Steven was supposed to perform on Friday night at the Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival. Although I wasn't going to be attending, my family was going to and probably would have had the chance to meet Steven in person. That's something my mom has been wanting to do for a very long time.. meet the man who inspired us to adopt.

It's just another reminder of how precious life is and how we take it for granted.. until it's too late. During times like these it's easy to ask God "How could you?" "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13
How could you take this little girl's life when she had so much life left to live.

"We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope." Romans 5:3-4

How could you do this to THIS family..?"

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Bottom line.. who are we to question God's will in our lives?

Tomorrow (actually, today) I will take a minute to pause and look carefully as I back out of my driveway. Then I'll stop the car, turn around and give the biggest hugs to my two precious girls who will be sitting in the back seat. I'll thank God for the blessings I have, and be grateful.. because tomorrow, one family will not get to ever hug their little girl again.

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust Him." Nahum 1:7

Source: The Tennessean