We all have them. But how often do we choose to embrace them? Last night I did just that. I was privileged to be at the United Tour where Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman, two of Christian music’s most beloved artists, performed on stage together. I knew it was going to be an evening of worship, an evening of praise, and a call to action.

I knew it would be personal for me, as well. In retrospect, I have no doubt that it was personal for every single person who attended. These musicians have such a huge heart and passion for people, for those in need, and for their God. They made it personal. Through their music and personal testimonies they shared their own stories – their heartbreaks and their triumphs, their struggles and their faith.

As these talented musicians took the stage, the crowd rose to greet them and to welcome Chapman, originally from Paducah, back “home” to Kentucky. They stood side-by-side on the stage, Chapman with his acoustic and Smith behind his keyboard. Chapman’s son, Caleb, supported both singers on guitar the entire night.

To kick off the show, Chapman and Smith lead the crowd in worship, opening with “Blessed Be Your Name” and “How Great Is Our God”. Then Smith stepped away as Chapman performed his opening set, which included “Yours”. He paused after the song to openly talk about his family’s tragic loss of their daughter, Maria, who was killed in a horrible accident just 11 short months ago. With tears in my eyes, I listened to him share the dark days they endured and their unwavering faith that God was always in control. He then performed the additional verse he wrote after the loss of Maria and I doubt there was a dry eye in the house.

Maria was adopted from China, and Chapman shared about the family’s ministry for orphans in need, Show Hope. Show Hope is a movement caring for the millions of orphans around the world. Beginning in 2001 as Shaohannah’s Hope, the ministry was originally named after the Chapman’s now 9-year old daughter Shaohannah Hope, whom they adopted from China in 2000.

Chapman picked up the mood quickly and expressed his joy in knowing that God has a plan for his family and that he will one day rejoice with his daughter again. As he said, she is but a small part of his past and a huge part of his future.

Praising God, he encouraged the audience to join him as he performed “Live Out Loud.” His friend and frequent song co-writer Geoff Moore joined him on stage to sing with him. Michael W. Smith returned to the stage and he and Chapman talked about each other’s music and their faith and the influence it has had on them. Their friendship, mutual respect and admiration are evident. They sang each other’s songs, bantered back and forth, and left the stage as Geoff Moore returned to share from his heart about the Show Hope Foundation and his experience with adopting two orphan girls himself.

I know firsthand the joy and rewards in reaching out to orphans. I feel blessed to have been given the gift of a daughter from China and I know without a doubt that God opened our hearts and led us on our journey to her. As a Christian, I do feel that experiencing the miracle of adoption and giving a waiting child a forever family is what I was called to do. Just as we are adopted children of Christ, it is our responsibility and privilege to act on behalf of those who need a forever family. During the brief intermission, each audience member was invited to become a Show Hope Sponsor to help address the needs of orphans.

Following intermission, Michael W. Smith emerged for a piano medley of favorite songs throughout the years from several albums. He is such a performer and worship leader and his conversational and humorous style of testimony is inspiring, to say the least. It must be an awesome feeling to have a crowd of 2,800 sing every word to every song along with you. He then talked about his 2000 release Freedom, a collection of instrumental orchestral arrangements. He performed a truly beautiful piano-only version of “The Giving.” Smith later gave a rousing performance of “The River Is Rising” and crowd was once again on its feet.

At the end of the concert, Smith, Chapman and Moore led the audience in “Healing Rain/Let it Rain” and “How Great Is Our God” once again. They embraced as we cheered them on, and waved goodbye as they exited the stage.

In a moment of clarity, I knew I had just attended much more than a concert. I left feeling uplifted and hopeful — and with a great desire to go home and gather my children to me. I was so glad I was there to experience the moment.

Guest Blogged by: Jana Curd
House Photographer: Wes Allen