Earlier this summer, a celebrity’s son ran over his daughter in a car. The daughter was killed. The son had to deal with the guilt.
And, the celebrity is a Christian singer who is gifted, beloved and above reproach, a clear star through over two decades. And the daughter was adopted from China.
Last Thursday evening, Larry King devoted his “Larry King Live” program to interviewing Steven Curtis Chapman, his wife and three surviving children, including the one who was driving. The questions–from Mr. King and internet contributors–were relevant, contemplative and unflinching:
“Are you mad at God for what happened?”
“How can you still sing about God even though He didn’t protect you?”
“Who do you blame for this?”
“How do you move on from something like this?”
“Why are you willing to speak so publicly about something so private?
“Will you adopt again?”

The conversation showed a family showing the fruits of sustaining faith in the midst of absolute tragedy and the relentless feelings that follow. This is the kind of wonderful television and inspiring faith-program that makes for real news-making! I’d take an hour of this over any three hours of foreclosures, Favre, Iraq, Obamicans or McCain/Paris Hilton.
At a time when faith leaders only make the news when there’s a scandal (Mrs. Joel Osteen is the latest), this was wonderfully inspiring, and provided hope for all who are reconciling their faith with tough times.
Mr. Chapman and I were once singing and speaking on the same program together, and I felt then that he was authentic and a sincere a performer–on-stage and off–as anyone I’ve ever met. I saw the same guy on TV last week, shining bright, inspiring the audience, and even Mr. King himself. “We do have a comfort and a hope,” he said, “although we don’t have answers.”