Steven Curtis Chapman has sold over 10 million albums and he's won five Grammy awards for his singing and songwriting. His recently-released biography Between Heaven and the Real World tells the story of his faith and his rise to gospel music prominence.
For me the most challenging part of the book was the story of how the Chapman family faced an unthinkable tragedy yet somehow used it as an opportunity to bring blessing to others.
Steven and his wife Mary Beth had three birth children. After a mission trip to Haiti and the persistent challenge they received from their 11-year-old daughter Emily they also became adoptive parents to three girls – Shaohannah Hope, Stevey Joy and Maria Sue. But on one occasion when Maria, aged just five, was playing outside, she ran towards her brother driving home, to ask if he would lift her onto the monkey bars. But her brother didn't see her and Maria was hit by his car. She was taken by air ambulance to hospital where doctors tried to save the little girl. Chapman was present when the doctors pronounced his daughter dead. He then spoke some of the most challenging words I have ever read. In the midst of the greatest personal anguish and distress, Chapman writes of what he told those doctors.
'"I know you have experienced this before," I said. "We're standing right at eternity's door... the door to heaven. I know you've stood here many times with what you do. I'm prepared to stay here and pray...but I think I'm supposed to stop. It's so hard...but I think I'm supposed to. And I also think I'm supposed to tell you, to remind you that we're all gonna stand here one day at the door of eternity ourselves. This is what everything in life comes down to, this moment right now. And you need to meet my little girl, and you need to meet Jesus, the One who created you.
"'I hope you've dealt with that. And if somehow this moment right now could change eternity for you, that would honor my little girl's life...that would make this moment matter. Please don't miss this."'
I have been present when a loved one has died and I know it's hard to think at all, let alone find something helpful to say. But Chapman here, in the midst of the one of the most difficult moments of his life, is thinking about the needs of others, and the fact that the gospel calls all of us to account and offers us grace and forgiveness.
His words had a profound impact on the ER staff, and they challenge me too. How seriously do I take the eternal life of those around me? How confident am I that the gospel is good news for everybody even in, or especially in, the most distressing of times?
Adoption was an incredibly painful journey for the Chapman family – the book outlines many of the challenges the Chapmans faced in adopting their three daughters and some of the trauma that their son Will went through in dealing with the guilt of inadvertently causing the death of his sister. After all of this they are still as committed as ever to helping vulnerable children find homes. I met Emily at a conference shortly after she submitted a Master's degree thesis on the theology and practice of adoption. It seems that the 11-year-old that kicked off the Chapman family's journey into adoption is still just as enthusiastic about it as an adult. Steven Curtis Chapman also continues to raise awareness and money for adoption around the world.
The rest of the book is filled with stories and Chapman offers us insights into the life he lives for God with great humility. Whether you love his music or not, here's a very readable account of one man's attempt to honour God with his gifts, his life and his family.
Krish Kandiah is the founder and director of Home for Good and also the Executive Director of Books for Life. Steven Curtis Chapman's book is available from all good booksellers.
