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Blogs by Lorna Tremaine
Blessed “Even Now” 8/9/2008 10:34:48 PM
When tradegy strikes, do you still consider yourself blessed?
Several months ago I read an article about the death of 5-year old Maria Chapman, daughter of Christian singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman. The article told a beautiful story of the family’s life together, their establishment of Shaohannah’s Hope and it included a short reference to Chapman’s successful recording career and Grammy wins; noting that the family had been blessed “until now”.
Thinking that maybe I read the sentence incorrectly about them being “blessed until now”, I read the sentence again. No mistake - that’s what it read. Because such tragedy had struck this well-known family, the writer of the article concluded that the Chapman Family was no longer "blessed”.
There is no question that this family is dealing with an incredible amount of pain and heartache. But the implication that their lives where no longer blessed caused me to think about whether or not we truly continue to be blessed when battles rage or tragedy strikes.
Much like the definition of “success”, being blessed can be defined or measured in a variety of ways too. For some, being blessed may be defined by the quantity of material possessions, or living a life free from suffering.
As an example from my own life, when my father passed away - I was blessed. Not because I lost my “Pop” or because I didn’t experience deep heartache from loosing someone I loved dearly, because I did. I was blessed because God pulled me close and he comforted me in a way that is hard to describe. He was my strength and he revealed his glory again and again. He even continues to use that painful time in my life to bless others today.
If God is glorified and others are blessed, then I am blessed too; regardless of the originating sorrow. The tragedy of loosing my dad made it possible for me to experience an intimacy with God Almighty that I may have otherwise missed.
Just the other night, the Chapman Family appeared on Larry King Live to share their story. On a show that attracts 1 million viewers every night, Maria’s life was not only remembered, but the power and love of Christ was proclaimed. The Chapman Family got to talk to a million people about Jesus Christ and because of that God was glorified. Who could have imagined that such pain and heartache would produce such a moment? Sounds like the Chapman Family is blessed to me. Blessed "even now".
