{From the Front Porch // Hope Behind the Hurt}

Written on 9/15/2025

Last Tuesday after hockey practice, we stopped by Taco Bueno for supper. Nothing fancy, just an easy weeknight meal together as a family. When we walked in, the young man behind the counter looked at Nate and said he liked his car. He had seen us pull into the parking lot. Nate smiled and told him it was actually Mason’s. He pointed toward Mase, and the kid’s face lit up as he replied, “That’s so awesome. That’s why I’m working here...to save money for my first car.”

I asked him what kind of car he wanted, and without hesitation he said, “I want a truck. My dad, who is in prison right now, has a friend that has a truck I would like to buy.”

Y’all, my heart instantly broke. I could hear the weight in his voice...the pain of a hard story and the hope of a better tomorrow all tangled together in one simple answer. His words were a reminder that everyone we meet is carrying something, often far heavier than we realize.

What struck me most about this young man wasn’t just his honesty, but his hope. Even in the shadow of his father being incarcerated, he still had a dream. He was working hard, saving up, and looking forward. That kind of hope is what God plants in us when He reminds us that our circumstances do not define our future.

Romans 15:13 says:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

This boy may not even realize it, but his determination was a living picture of hope pressing forward in the midst of hardship.

That night put things into perspective for me. It was a reminder to:

• See People Beyond Their Circumstances. Everyone has a story. Many are carrying hurts we’ll never know unless we pause to listen.

• Be a Voice of Encouragement. Our small words, like, “I believe in you,” or even just listening,  might be the hope someone clings to.

• Remember God is Near the Brokenhearted. Psalm 34:18 tells us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” That truth is for that young man, and it’s for us, too.

From the outside, it may have looked like just another quick dinner stop on a Tuesday night. But God used that moment to open my eyes and remind me of something deeper: there’s hope behind the hurt. Every single person is longing for something more, and only Jesus can meet that longing fully.

So as I sit on the porch reflecting on this encounter, I’m asking God to give me eyes to really see people...not just their jobs, their smiles, or their quick answers, but the stories behind them. Because sometimes the most ordinary moments turn into holy reminders.

Lord, thank You for the way You use everyday encounters to remind us of Your heart. Give me eyes to see the hurting, ears to listen with compassion, and words that build up instead of tear down. For the young man saving for his truck, and for all who are quietly carrying heavy burdens, I pray You meet them with hope and surround them with Your presence. Help me to practice gratitude and perspective, remembering that every person I meet is someone You love deeply. Amen.