Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman on Marriage Struggles
Although Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife, Mary Beth, are celebrating four decades of marriage, it hasn’t always been easy. They share a behind-the-scenes look at their love and commitment in a new book, “Still Here: Life Together on the Long Way Home.”
The Chapmans’ story, which began as young love on a college campus, has aged into a cherished but challenging shared journey through the complexities of life. “Still Here” provides a vulnerable narrative from two imperfect people who love God most and love each other almost as much.
Their book doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulties but goes into candid detail about fights, tragedies and the strain brought by Steven’s career on the road. They forgo quick tips and hot takes, instead offering an authentic recollection of lived lessons and hard-won wisdom earned across four decades.
READ: Steven Curtis Chapman reflects on career, life
“Until now, we have shied away from writing about our marriage, because we thought it might be disappointing for you,” the book says. “Our life is not set to the tune of a love song on auto-repeat, although one of us has sung a certain love song about 100,000 times by now. But maybe you need to hear that a couple can be a crazy mess today and, by the abundant grace of God, can still be only a sunrise away from another whole new beginning. It’s true. Not just for us but for you, too.”
The book’s title is a play on the title of “I Will Be Here,” Steven’s ode to faithful marriage that has become something of a wedding anthem. In a recent interview, the Chapmans shared that they grow closer to each other by growing closer to God.
“There’s a reason we’ve been married 41 years,” Mary Beth told BP News. “Those reasons are a lot of redos, a lot of bearing with one another in love and a lot of forgiveness.”
Steven agreed. “I guess if we’ve done anything well and right in this process, it has been very willing to acknowledge humbly that we don’t have it figured out, that we need help,” he said. “We need, ultimately, God’s help.”
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice
