Heaven is the Face

"I know it's all of this and so much more....God, you know, I just can't see beyond the door...."

I'm one of those people who get a new song and listen to it over and over again.
And again and again and again. And again.

Steven Curtis Chapman released Heaven is the Face this week and I really like it.

The Chapmans lost their daughter last year in a car accident and their journey of grief has been followed quite closely by the media. I'm sure it has been very difficult to go through it all with your every move watched, even if the watchers are well-meaning fans (myself included).

In a time like that, what does faith look like? How does it work? What is the right response to such a tragedy?

The whole family has shown so much beauty and grace. I've somewhat shamelessly followed their blogs and been overwhelmed at times by the pieces of their heart that they've chosen to share.
Their trust in the God of Heaven and their determination to stay true to what they know - their faith - has really stuck with me.

And this song is a beautiful overview of their past year or so and I'm so glad that he's chosen to share his journey this way.

I love: "I know it's all of this and so much more....God, you know, I just can't see beyond the door...."

And I know it's not the main theme of the song, but sometimes it's just a relief to be reminded that it's ok if sometimes we can't see past the issue that is at hand.

Whether it's something as tragic as losing a child or simply our own day-to-day struggles in relationships I think it's ok to admit that we just can't seem beyond what's in our face right now.

And I really like the idea of a place where HIS glory fills every empty space.

Heaven is the Face - Steven Curtis Chapman

Heaven is the face of a little girl
With dark brown eyes
That disappear when she smiles.
Heaven is the place
Where she calls my name
Says, “Daddy please come play with me for awhile.”

Chorus:

God, I know, it’s all of this and so much more,
But God, You know, that this is what I’m aching for.
God, you know, I just can’t see beyond the door.
So right now...

Heaven is the sound of her breathing deep,
Lying on my chest, falling fast asleep while I sing.
And Heaven is the weight of her in my arms,
Being there to keep her safe from harm while she dreams

And God, I know, it’s all of this and so much more,
But God, You know, that this is what I’m longing for
God, you know, I just can’t see beyond the door.

Bridge:

But in my mind’s eye I can see a place
Where Your glory fills every empty space.
All the cancer is gone,
Every mouth is fed,
And there’s no one left in the orphans’ bed.
Every lonely heart finds their one true love,
And there’s no more goodbye,
And no more not enough,
And there’s no more enemy (no more).

Heaven is a sweet, maple syrup kiss
And a thousand other little things I miss with her gone.
Heaven is the place where she takes my hand
And leads me to You,
And we both run into Your arms.

Oh God, I know, it’s so much more than I can dream.
It’s far beyond anything I can conceive.
So God, You know, I’m trusting You until I see
Heaven in the face of my little girl,
Heaven in the face of my little girl.