August 25, 2026
The following story is excerpted from 10,000 Reasons: Stories of Faith, Hope and Thankfulness by Matt Redman, a Christian singer-songwriter.
He Gives and Takes Away
By Matt Redman
A few years ago, on a trip to the United States, I woke up to a devastating report on the national news. A friend and fellow worship leader’s young daughter Maria Sue had died in a horrible accident on the driveway at home. I sent a message of love and support but of course didn’t expect to hear back anytime soon. Then a couple of days later I was sitting on an airport shuttle, about to make the trip back from America to England, and I saw Steven’s name flash up on my phone.
I couldn’t believe he would call, and I was almost scared to answer it. “Steven?” “Hey, Matt.” “Oh, Steven, I’m so sorry to hear about Maria. You can’t imagine how many people are praying for you and the family right now. I guess none of us really have the right words to say right now, but I want you to know we love you and we’re thinking of you all constantly.”
“Thank you, Matt; that means so much. I have a request. Is there any chance you’re in America right now? Mary Beth and I were pondering the memorial service, and we wondered if there was any way you could join us tomorrow in Nashville and lead your song ‘Blessed Be Your Name.’”
One line from the song played loud in my mind: “You give and take away.” I knew it was a brave and bold choice for them to sing this. It struck me as evidence of who they were as a family—that even in the midst of all their pain and grief, they would choose to put a marker in the ground and sing those costly words. Most times our lyrics don’t cost much to sing. But I realized there would be a huge weight of faith for them to sing a lyric like this at a time like that.
To hear Matt Redman sing “Blessed Be Your Name” at the Beverly Theater in Las Vegas, click here: (https://youtu.be/0fudMFN9M8s)
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