"THANKS FOR PUTTING IN THE WORK"

This summer has certainly been challenging in so many ways, yet God keeps giving me these delicious spiritual nuggets of affirmation and inspiration. Here’s just one sweet example.

Glenn and I were at Home Depot on a Saturday. I always push a cart when we’re out because it helps me walk as I try to keep my gaze forward. I struggle to keep my balance if I turn my head too much. We were in the store about 30–40 minutes, and I noticed a young family several times—Dad, Mom, and four precious children, including an infant in Mom’s arms. My heart smiled at the beautiful picture of God’s design.

We park in a handicapped spot these days because of my unsteadiness and compromised gait. Glenn always holds my hand tightly and guides me to the passenger door of “Gloria,” my reliable Chevy Equinox.

As we approached the car, there they were again. That young family just happened to be parked nearby. I realized they were watching me, and I felt a tinge of uncomfortable vulnerability—like they were staring at someone who doesn’t look handicapped. I was thinking they might be curious (at best) or judging me (at worst). So I made eye contact and smiled, and this time, the Dad spoke to me.

“Is your name Bethanie?”

“Yes,” I answered, with a question in my voice.

He introduced himself and said, “You might not remember me…”

I immediately interrupted him, “Of course I do!” and I smiled even bigger.

He said, “You probably didn’t know, but I had a really hard home life in high school. It meant everything to me that you would pick us up—all the way on the other side of the county—to bring us to church. I know that took a lot, and I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for being consistent. Thank you for putting in the work. You made a difference in my life, and I wanted to tell you that.”

As he was speaking, my inner dialogue was saying, “Yes—I did know. And that’s why I did it.”

I started tearing up because I remember those days so vividly. It was over 20 years ago, and being a high school youth leader was a huge part of my ministry—and I loved every minute of it. Those students were so precious to me.

As I wiped tears from my eyes and told him how happy I was to do it, he introduced me to his lovely wife and his babies, each with his distinctive dark, curly Greek hair. I asked his wife for permission to hug her husband before I gave him the biggest heart hug—like a big sister squeezing her little brother. Then we parted ways.

I cried even more as we drove away and praised God for that encounter. Not because I got to see that “kid” again, and not just because he thanked me—but because he encouraged me and reminded me. When he said, “Thanks for putting in the work,” it was like a pep talk from the Lord.

Our work can feel so mundane sometimes, but our faithfulness to the task God has given us truly does bring forth goodness. That day, Matt “Pappy” Papantonakis reminded me to keep “putting in the work,” and this was exactly what I needed to hear.

Praise God.