I’ll admit it. I like people to be thankful. When I do good deeds for others, I like them to notice. I may not act like I don’t need the recognition, but secretly, I think that is the best part! Knowing that I brought someone joy makes me so happy!
I’ve noticed that if I don’t receive the recognition I expect, sometimes I’ll probe for it. For example, with my husband, I’ll say, “Honey, did you notice I did all the laundry and put it away for you?”
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
When we seek recognition for our good deeds from others, the reward is temporary. It is easy to put our hope in earthly pleasures because it feels good right now! But when we understand that our good deeds aren’t just for the other humans, but also for the Lord, we receive a kingdom reward.
I’m working on allowing my good deeds to be unnoticed by others, knowing that God sees all of them. This takes a lot of surrender for me! But, honestly, it is only by God’s grace that I’m even capable of doing good deeds for others. The goodness starts from God and the goodness goes back to God. He’s the goodness in our lives.