Jenn Johnson Reveals The Deeply Personal Story Behind ‘Goodness of God’
Jenn Johnson Reveals The Deeply Personal Story Behind ‘Goodness of God.’ Worship leader and songwriter Jenn Johnson has shared the heartfelt story behind one of contemporary Christian music’s most beloved songs, “Goodness of God,” revealing that the anthem was born from a life-changing moment involving the adoption of her first son.
Speaking about the song’s origins, Johnson recalled receiving the long-awaited news that the adoption process for her family’s first adopted child had finally been completed. The moment marked the end of an emotional six-month journey and the beginning of a new chapter for her family.
“We have three biological kids and two adopted,” Johnson explained. “We adopted our first son. They called us, and they said, ‘It’s final. He’s yours.’”
Overwhelmed by emotion after receiving the call, Johnson said she found herself alone in her car, reflecting on God’s faithfulness throughout the process.
“I was just crying in my car and singing to God,” she said. “I was singing, ‘All my life You’ve been faithful, and all my life You’ve been so, so good. I love You, Lord.’”
What began as a spontaneous expression of gratitude soon became something much bigger. Johnson described the experience as one of those intimate moments of worship that are often meant only for God.
“Sometimes you sing, and that song is just for God,” she said. “It’s kind of like a sacrifice of praise. It goes on an altar and goes up, and no one ever hears it.”
But during that emotional drive, Johnson sensed a prompting that would ultimately lead to the creation of the now-iconic worship song.
“A few minutes into the journey, I just felt, ‘Pick up your phone and sing into your phone,’” she recalled. “So I did, and I wrote the song ‘Goodness of God’ out of that moment.”
Since its release, “Goodness of God” has become a global worship staple, sung in churches across the world and translated into numerous languages. The song’s message of unwavering faithfulness has resonated deeply with listeners, many of whom have connected its lyrics to their own stories of hope, healing and gratitude.
Johnson’s revelation offers fresh insight into the personal testimony behind the song, showing how a private moment of thanksgiving following the adoption of her son evolved into a worship anthem that has touched millions.
For Johnson, the song remains a reminder of a defining moment in her family’s journey—one that transformed overwhelming joy and gratitude into a declaration of God’s faithfulness that continues to echo around the world.
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