I’ve been a Steven Curtis Chapman fan for a few decades.

I’ll never forget when a college friend gave me a couple of cassette tapes in 1989. He said he had discovered a new singer and thought I would like his music. Those cassette tapes were Steven Curtis Chapman’s first two albums: “First Hand” and “Real Life Conversations.” I listened to them, and I was hooked. I wore them out, listening to them dozens and dozens of times.

But within a few months of moving 1,000 miles away to college, I had settled into a deep depression. There were a few occasions when I got desperately close to ending my life. But I remember getting SCC’s new album, “More to This Life,” and finding so much comfort in the songs. That album was exactly what I needed at that time! The Lord used SCC’s music to save me from doing the unthinkable to end the pain of depression.

I continued listening to SCC’s music and got each new album as it came out. I went to one of his “The Great Adventure” tours in Cincinnati and then to his “Heaven in the Real World” concert on Mud Island in Memphis.

When I met the woman of my dreams and said, “I do,” on May 10, 1997, I sang a Steven Curtis Chapman song, “I Will Be Here,” to Kim in our wedding ceremony.

Throughout my married years, I continued to enjoy his music. I also remember exactly where I was when I heard of the horrible family tragedy they experienced in 2008. Even though I had never met Steven, I felt connected to him and his family, and I hurt with them.

Later, in 2016, I downloaded Steven Curtis Chapman’s autobiography audiobook. I enjoyed listening to it tell the story behind the songs and albums that I knew so well. I also enjoyed hearing him tell about locations in Paducah that we were very familiar with from our time at two churches in western Kentucky. I listened to the whole book over a few weeks as I worked out in a gym in Murray, Kentucky.

Fast-forward to a few weeks ago, Gladys Rouleau, a member of the church I pastor, told me that she was going on a Steven Curtis Chapman Alaskan Cruise. She knew I was a fan and said that she would try to get something signed if I wanted. I purchased a hardback version of his autobiography and gave it to her, hoping that the next time I had it in my hands, it would have SCC’s autograph.

Gladys took my book but was informed on the boat that Steven would not be giving autographs. I can imagine the reason was that giving autographs would take so much time and not allow them to mingle with the folks (and they did!). Plus, giving so many autographs would make for a sore wrist, which isn’t good for a guitarist.

In the same meeting where they heard that there would be no autographs, each guest was asked to provide a brief personal testimony. Gladys said that she mentioned her years-long battle with cancer, the grace of God, and so much more, including the fact that her pastor has been there to help her.

So, when Gladys got to meet Steven and Mary Beth the next day, she said that her pastor had sent SCC’s book with her. She asked if Steven would hold it for the picture. He did.

After the picture was snapped, Mary Beth asked Gladys if she could snag the book for a while. She said that they wanted to sign my book (Gladys thinks they may have read her testimony and what she said about me) but didn’t want to sign it in front of the other guests. Gladys said that Steven looked at her (Gladys), smiled, and then pointed at Mary Beth and jokingly said, “She’s the rule-breaker.”

Long story short – he signed my book!