Dancin’ With Cinderella
2008 May 22
As a father who’s lost a daughter, I have some perspective on the journey ahead for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family after their tragic loss.
All parents: find the wisdom in his song “Cinderella.” Now is the time to practice the dancin’ — while she’s still in your arms.
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Mike,
Many bloggers from Churches of Christ are familiar with John Dobbs. John is a blog king among us, in my opinion. He has also been the preacher for the Central Church in Pascagoula, MS and has worked mightily in the service of God for relief in that area ever since Katrina. He recently accepted the pulpit position witht he Forsythe Avenue Church in Monroe, LA. John is married to Margaret.
Their 18 year old son, John Robert Dobbs, was killed on I-10 Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. John posted about their sons death on his blog Wednesday evening (wwww.johndobbs.wordpress.com). John Robert was set to graduate from Pascagoula High School tomorrow.
His family, and those of us who are his friends, request your prayers and the prayers of your readers.
Thanks so much, Richard. I hadn’t heard that. I just left a note there.
Between having Laura graduate from High School tomorrow, Emily going off to Junior High, preaching out of Ecclesiastes, and sitting here commenting on this post from the sound both in our church while watching the Wee School graduation, I am an emotional wreck. When I heard the news last night, Grant Boone was in town and Grant, Kim and I just sat there shaking our heads – our hearts stinging in pain and our lips silent in disbelief.
I’ve never walked that road but I’m confident that God will use it for that family as a forging process and that the heat of the hell they experience will make them stronger than ever and long for heaven more than ever.
Couldn’t help think about you and Diane this morning. And the Griggs, and the Browns, and the Smalls… and too many other families.
My life and my kid’s lives are richer from the lessons I learned from your daughter and you. I’ll never doubt the worth of a sloppy kiss, a crocked grin or a clumsy hug or take those for granted! Love you guys!
Too much pain! Thank You, LORD for heaven’s promises!!
I don’t even know what to say.
Too much hurt and death in this world.
I’m praying especially for the brother of Maria.
And for all the other families who experience loss today but who don’t make the news.
It is truly tragic. The Chapmans have been a blessing in my life. They really need our prayers. I know God will use this to strengthen the Chapman family and to glorify Him even more.
It has almost been a year for us. A year since our famiy was changed forever. I remember when I was someone who couldn’t imagine the Chapman’s grief or the loss of a child or trying to love another child through the guilt he felt. Now it is such a hard reality. I stayed awake last night crying for their family and mine. So many unanswered questions and so much hurt. Praying blessings over their famiy and longing for heaven.
Lee Ann – I remember that day, too. I remember knowing how different life would be for you. I remember thinking that there would be insight about life that would come to you that you’d never have known otherwise; and yet knowing that this insight was at such a price of grief that sometimes you’d wonder if you can go on. Prayers continue for your family.
Here is a link to the news account of John Robert’s tragic fatal accident. Our prayers are lifted up for his family and friends. This could well have been my son.
http://www.sunherald.com/278/story/578234.html
What an amazing and heartbreaking story, Mike…. thank you for sharing. I had not heard about it.
I just went into my 2-year old daughter’s room and danced with her.
Many blessings to you.
Jeremy
It’s at times like this that I sometimes ponder what usually seems quite ordinary—the blessing of “memory.” That God gave us the gift of being able to remember, and thus to anticipate the reunion, can be such a comfort.
My prayer is that the Chapman family and the Dobbs family will feel God’s promised closeness.
This one struck me kinda hard since it was one of the Children the Chapman’s had adopted from China. We have just begun to deal with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake here, and to read this story brings an extra bit of sadness to my heart. I have grown very fond of my chinese friends, and I think the children here are the cutest and sweetest in the world, and I just cant imagine what this family must be feeling like in the wake of such a terrible loss.
Lee Ann, you were the first person to come to mind when I heard about the Chapman’s loss. I know that your prayers for this family are powerful beyond measure because you know right where they are standing right now….standing in this immense space of grief and loss and yet so full of love for those fighting with the guilt. That is sacred space and I don’t know anyone who understands that like you do.
This world sucks the joy right out of you. I am so glad this world is not my home.
Amen Clint.
I grieve with the Chapmans and John Dobb’s family during this time of tough loss.
Thank you, Mike, for your note. I know you know this particular pain in the heart that has now become permanent subtext of my life.