A brother accidentally kills his sister. The stuff of tragedy.

The son of Steven Curtis Chapman backed over his sister today in a most heart-breaking accident. The outpouring of love and prayers and support for the Christian singer and his family has been overwhelming. In part, reading through the thousands of comments on a memorial set up to honor the memory of his daughter, one can see the impact of his ministry over the past few decades.

His music has always been provocative to me. His hauntingly simple, yet so profound song "Heart's Cry" is such a powerful reminder of what is important in this world.

This is my heart's cry
I want to know the one who saved me and gave me life
This is my heart's cry to be so close to Him that all my life becomes
A testimony of my Savior's grace and love
This is my heart's cry

This is my heart's cry
Much more than just a great desire - it's like a fire in me
I hear my heart cry each time I think about the cross where Jesus died
The cross should have been mine but His love broke through time
And heard my heart's cry - he heard my heart's cry

Now every other hope and dream is lost inside of this one thing
To know the one who died for me and live my life for Jesus Christ
Is my heart's cry

So let my life become a testimony of my Savior's grace and love
Oh - this is my heart's cry - to stand before the Father one day
And hear Him say well done - this is my heart's cry

His song "Dive" is an infectious melody that reminds us to embrace this life that we have.

The long-awaited rains have fallen hard upon the thirsty ground
Have carved their way to where the wild and rushing river can be found
And like the rains I have been carried here to where the river flows, yeah
My heart is racin' and my knees are weak as I walk to the edge
I know there is no turning back once my feet have left the ledge
And in the rush I hear a voice, it's telling me it's time to
Take the leap of faith
So here I go

I'm diving in
I'm going deep
In over my head I wanna be
Caught in the rush
Lost in the flow
In over my head I wanna go
The river's deep
The river's wide
The river's water is alive
So sink or swim
I'm diving in
I'm diving in

There is a supernatural power in this mighty river's flow
It can bring the dead to life, and it can fill an empty soul
And give a heart the only thing worth livin' and worth dyin' for, yeah
But we will never know the awesome power of the grace of God
Until we let ourselves get swept away into this holy flood
So if you'll take my hand, we'll close our eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith
Come on let's go

His declaration of love for his wife has echoed through countless weddings, but is even a greater picture of the love Christ has for His Bride, the church. "I Will Be Here"

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the sun does not appear,
I will be here.

If in the dark we lose sight of love,
Hold my hand and have no fear,
‘Cause I will be here.

CHORUS
I will be here when you feel like being quiet;
When you need to speak your mind, I will listen.
And I will be here when the laughter turns to crying;
Through the winning, losing, and trying, we’ll be together,
‘Cause I will be here.

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the future is unclear,
I will be here.

As sure as seasons are made for change,
Our lifetimes are made for years,
So I will be here.

CHORUS
I will be here, so you can cry on my shoulder;
When the mirror tells us we’re older, I will hold you.
And I will be here to watch you grow in beauty,
And tell you all the things you are to me;
I will be here.

I will be true to the promise I have made,
To you and to the One who gave you to me.

As sure as seasons are made for change,
Our lifetimes are made for years,
So I, I will be here.
We'll be together and I will be here.

I could post literally dozens of other songs that speak to the truths God has for us, songs that represent his unflagging faith and deep love for the sharing the Grace and Mercy of Christ.

I wept when I read of the death of his daughter. Along with thousands of those who have had the salt and light of Christ poured out in their lives through his music, my heart ached.

But...I also could see that God, in His perfect timing, could use this as a mighty lesson of faith and glory and blessing.

Many of the comments included the following verse from John 14:27:

Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives
do I give to you .
Do not let your heart be troubled,
nor let it be fearful.

The world cannot understand how Steven, his wife Mary Beth, their son, or their whole family could find peace in this moment, but I know that they will. I know because that is the gift of the One who reigns in their hearts. His daughter Maria is with Jesus. She is at peace. God will bring that to her family.

May we be reminded of the transitory nature of this life that we live and savor each and every moment.