But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. (2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV)
“Why do I even bother? It’s like pulling teeth to teach these kids,” Mr. Monhollen muttered as he watched the students hurry out of the music room.
And then when he looked up, he saw Beth still in her seat in the back of the room, instrument in hand, continuing to work her fingers into the right places on her flute. She tried a few more times. He was fascinated as he watched the concentration on her face. And, finally, she got it! The right notes came out of her flute. Her eyes widened and she drew in a quick breath.
He smiled and said, “Don’t stop now, keep on playing.”
She looked at him, eyes still wide, and looked at the music again. She began to play once more, and the notes were perfect. Her cheeks turned pink, and she smiled so big her eyes were slits.
He laughed and she laughed, and he said, “Great job, Beth. Keep practicing and you’ll be an expert in no time.”
And now he remembered why he loved this job so much. It was for those who worked hard and didn’t give up. They were the ones he was there to teach. He gladly taught them all, but there were those precious few who just kept on working until they mastered their instrument and the music.
A few years later Mr. Monhollen received a letter with two tickets to an Orchestral Concert at Music Hall. The note read, “I would love to see you at my premiere with the local Symphony Orchestra”. It was signed “Your former student”.
He and his wife walked into Music Hall and found their seats. As he looked at the playbill, he saw a familiar name. A smile slowly spread across his face, and he waited in anticipation for the concert to begin grinning the whole time.
The curtain rose and there she sat, to the left of the Maestro. He raised his baton and the orchestra began. At the proper time, Beth began her flute solo. Tears rolled down his face as he remembered the young girl who looked at him with wide eyes when she played the right notes for the first time. And now, she had mastered her instrument and the music.
When she had finished, she looked up at him and smiled that same smile from so long ago, so big her eyes were slits.
His heart was bursting, and he knew they had both been rewarded for not giving up and working hard.
A Little Elbow Grease (© Barb Witt 11/27/2019)
And now we pray…
Lord, sometimes we must work hard for things. We have to put in effort and thought. We may even have to struggle to learn something new. Allow us to not give up. To keep on working hard, even if it isn’t easy. For our reward in heaven is worth all of our struggling here on this earth.
In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN!
Greendale First Church of Christ 