The Servant’s Heart: Gratitude in Action

I was going through some photos on my computer and came across a picture I took of Kyle Field from my hotel room across the street. I remember taking it in the weeks before teachers returned to school in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The image stirred a flood of memories. At the time, it felt as if the world was holding its breath. The pandemic showed no signs of slowing, and teachers were bracing for an unprecedented return to classrooms. Uncertainty and fear loomed large. Every day, the news brought stories of otherwise healthy people fighting for their lives in hospital intensive care units, while those with underlying health conditions seemed to fall to the virus with alarming speed.

In the haze of uncertainty, one thing shone through: the quiet faithfulness of teachers who showed up, day after day, committed to serving their students despite daunting challenges. If our voices really sounded to students like the squawking horn of Charlie Brown’s teacher, adding masks made it feel like trying to play a trumpet through a pillow. That would be a herculean task even for Louis Armstrong, much less me.

Looking at Kyle Field, I thought about the tradition of students standing throughout the games. This tradition harks back to 1922, when King Gill, a former player, was called out of the stands to suit up for a team depleted by injuries. His willingness to step up birthed the “12th Man” tradition—a powerful reminder that everyone has a role to play, even when the odds are against them.

That image of readiness and unity felt especially poignant during those years, as so many professions were called upon to step into the unknown. Among them were the countless doctors, nurses, and hospital staff who served far beyond their usual dedication. Many worked grueling hours, risking their own health and well-being to care for others.

Their sacrifice was a profound example of servanthood—stepping into the gap when they were needed most, often at great personal cost. For a brief moment, these professionals were brought into the spotlight, with the media highlighting their relentless commitment. It was recognition that should have come long before.

The same spirit of humble sacrifice we all witnessed in our communities echoes in my home every day. As I reflect on gratitude, I think of Becky, whose quiet acts of love and devotion embody the heart of servanthood.

Thanksgiving isn’t just a meal—it’s the culmination of days of planning and effort. From thoughtful ingredient shopping to baking desserts ahead of time, Becky’s labor of love crescendos on Thanksgiving morning as she brings the feast to life: turkey, homemade dressing, all the trimmings, and her famous pumpkin pie. And that work is done in a kitchen about the size of your average elevator and with the same amount of counter space.

Yet, despite the limitations, she makes it all look effortless. The love and care she pours into each dish are far more than culinary effort—they are an act of devotion to the people she loves.

When I decided to pursue my college degree full-time at 32, with three young kids at home, she stepped in to shoulder so much responsibility, carrying the load for nearly four years so I could pursue my education. Since I’m the only kid left in the house now, I get the full force of her dedication, which shows in so many small but important ways—like ensuring I take my medicine, which takes the persistence of a saint and the strategy of a chess master.

Her dedication also shows in the countless small but meaningful ways she cares for others. In all these things, she is a model of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. In John 13, we see Jesus—our Lord and Teacher—kneeling before His disciples, performing the humblest act of service to show them the kind of love they were to give to one another. Becky’s acts of service, offered with humility and love, remind me daily of this quiet, powerful example of servanthood.

Today, as we gather around the table, let’s pause not just to give thanks for the blessings before us, but for the love and service that brought them to us. As we gather around the table today, I’m reminded that gratitude isn’t about me getting the biggest slice of pumpkin pie—though as the patriarch, I have to wonder why it isn’t a given.

And in this time of reflection, we can also give thanks for the opportunity to love and serve others, knowing that in those moments of service, we truly live out the love that has been shown to us.

This year, like King Gill, we’re being called out of the stands to suit up and step into the game. But unlike King Gill, we’re not stepping in alone. Jesus, the ultimate servant leader, walks beside us, reminding us that His strength is perfected in our weakness and that we serve not by our power, but by His.

Like the 12th Man, we stand together, united in our calling to love and serve others as Christ has loved us.