When I became a Christian in my early 20s, it was mainly because of music. My sister gave me a Susan Ashton tape (that’s right, a tape) for Christmas one year, and it spoke to me. Then I started listening to Nichole Nordeman, Jennifer Knapp, Cademon’s Call and lots of others. Especially Steven Curtis Chapman. It was through the music of these awesome singer/songwriters that I came to have a strong faith of my own. I can only imagine how the Chapman’s faith is being tested now. I was so sad to hear about the tragedy in his family - here’s an excerpt from the That’s Really Week blog by Lyndsey Parker:

Maria Sue Chapman, the 5-year-old daughter of Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman, was accidentally, tragically struck and killed Wednesday by an SUV driven by her teenage brother.

How does a family deal with that? Yeesh. So sad. Maria Sue was the third daughter that the Chapman’s have adopted from China.

Which makes me think of all the families in China that lost their state-mandated only children in the earthquake! Awful.

So here’s some hope:

The Chapman’s foundation, inspired by their adoption experience: Shaohannha’s Hope

Oxfam’s relief efforts in Myanmar and China.

There are things we can do to help.