What Happens When One Little Boy Asks for a Band Member’s Guitar?

Guitarist James Duke with DeShawn

My family has been going through a lot of things lately. My husband was diagnosed with a mental illness and things were really rough. It was to the point where I could not look at him. I wanted to just walk away, and wash my hands of him. It would have made my life easier. I would tell myself that JESUS has mercy on me.

I was listening to the station as I drove and heard about the Matt Redman concert. I was not sure I could go since it was on a night that I usually work. I asked for LWOP (leave without pay) so I could attend. I felt that my family needed this badly. We arrived at the church around 6:15 to a long line that I was not expecting. We got in line and my boys (DeShawn, 11, and BJ, 13) decided to act up.

It was looking like we would not make it into the concert. I felt like I took time from work – not getting paid – for nothing, but GOD is good. We were able to get into the concert and the boys were enjoying it.

On the way back to the car, James Duke, Matt Redman’s guitarist, was exiting the church. He was carrying the guitar that he used in the concert. DeShawn asked him if he could have his guitar. We didn’t know he was going to do that and were kind of embarrassed. Yet, the response that came out of Mr. Duke’s mouth put me in shock. Mr. Duke said, “Yes,” no hesitation. He didn’t try to push him off and he even went and got a sharpie to sign it.

Mr. Duke’s actions helped me to remember, despite the craziness that is happening in our life right now, GOD is still working in our life. We will keep believing and asking God to guide our steps, for He guided ours that day. GOD is good and thank you, WAY-FM, for the concert.

-Deidre Johnson

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