They say it was a photographic mistake, the picture above.
But from what I read of Jim Housers Blog, I think it was meant to be.
Jim Houser is the manager for Steven Curtis Chapman. Jim has been doing a beautiful job of keeping us updated on the Chapman family as we all wonder how they are doing after the loss of their youngest daughter, Maria.
I check Jim's blog frequently, just to know how I can continue to pray for this family - and how these prayers are being answered. Today I read this entry, and I was so encouraged.
It feels like we've strung a few hopeful days in a row together here. I almost don't want to say it out loud... but it's the truth. There are still tears, but there are some smiles too. And the counseling appointments continue, progress it seems is being made. And tick tock... time is passing.
The Good Morning America and People Magazine interviews are now behind us... and though they were HARD, I'm feeling so sure that these have been God honoring and correct choices He led us to. In my opinion, Good Morning America came at just the right moment in time for Will I think. One of the stories I heard that day, I had not heard before. If it isn't told on the final piece, I'll share it here.
Regarding GMA and the piece they are doing, to have a 5 or 6 minute piece is very unusual. In a morning show setting like this, 3 minutes or shorter is the norm. To have this length is really unusual. We're thankful. Some of you have asked, so let me say this... In any correspondence you might decide to send to the show, I think our tone would be that we're grateful for the extended segment, that we're grateful for the trouble they went to to make the Chapmans comfortable, and that if possible additional content on a future date or in some other area of ABC media would be so exciting and compelling. I can't say enough about Robin Roberts and the producer Janice. I'm very confident the piece will be all we're hoping.
Circle your calendar and pray for August 5th and August 7th, the 5th when it looks like Good Morning America will air and the 7th when the family will be on with Larry King Live. Pray that the Chapmans' story of faith through this will point to our Savior and will bump into people that would not normally hear or see. Pray that God will continue to redeem this loss. Pray for courage and God to give each of them words to speak while Live! with Larry. And then People Magazine... hitting newsstands that next day on the 8th and in waiting rooms (i always read it at Super Cuts) for weeks and weeks to come. Who knows who will see it and where that will go? Asking God to go before us and be all over it in His plan in His timing with His providence. I suspect He's writing quite a story here and I am trusting we will all see someday.
The photo (above) here was taken by our lighting director, Cannonball a few shows back. I chuckled when I saw it. The camera lens was tricked by the lights in this shot and makes Steven look a bit like I picture Moses must have appeared after He had just encountered God on the mountain, bright white from God's glory passing by. Though it's a photographic mistake, the picture does exhibit what I know Steven strives for... reflecting God's glory. Lets continue to pray for it to be so... and we're grateful you are! and that you are walking alongside this family holding them up on this journey through the valley.
Steven Curtis Chapman will be in town on Saturday, September 20th at the Puyallup Fair along with Michael W Smith. Tickets are available now. I, for one, am counting down the days to show my support for this man and his family.
