surprisingly, it’s possible to have a lot of deep thoughts while you’re chasing a toddler around the house.

lately, i have been hearing a song a lot on the radio that’s become so meaningful to me in light of the miscarriage i had in March. it’s a song by Matt Redman, Blessed Be Your Name.

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say…
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say…
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

Why do i like this song so much? Because it’s a good tune, for one. However, the main reason is that it is so well written, and hidden in the beautiful words are a great truth. Praising God when we are in the midst of difficulty and turmoil is not a natural reaction – it is a choice. It is a choice that requires an understanding of God’s omnipotence, God’s omniscience, and God’s love for humanity.

It is really easy to give praise and glory to God when things are going all right, when the sun is shining in life and we’re all content and happy. It is when storms hit and we’re tossed around, we lose a loved one, we lose a baby, we lose our financial stability, whatever it is… that is when, if one is going to praise God and bless His name, it must be a conscious choice. I can’t say that my first reaction when i lost the baby was to praise God – my first reaction was anger, sadness, questions. Further down the road, it’s still not easy – but i am coming to a new understanding of God. He does not require me to be perfect, He does not expect me to come to him each day saying “So, i’m fine, how are you?” with a big plastic smile on my face. He alone knows every single imperfection, He alone knows my secret fear, my secret pain. And because of that (and many other reasons), i choose to give Him, the keeper of my heart, all of my praise.