For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints—and by continuing to serve them. —Hebrews 6:10
Finding a good parking spot is a big deal. Sometimes, especially in a huge parking lot anywhere near the door, it’s a treat to find one.
Not long ago, I was looking for a parking spot in the pouring rain. I had dropped my family off at the front door of the restaurant and was desperately searching for a place close enough to avoid getting soaked. And then I spotted it. A perfect, made-to-order parking place. It was the closest space there was to the front door—not counting the handicapped spaces. “I must be livin’ right,” I whispered as I whipped the steering wheel to the left.
And then I saw the sign: “This space reserved for the Employee of the Month.” I sat there in silence with only the noise of my wipers sloshing the water on my windshield, left and right, left and right. Employee of the Month?, I seethed. Who gives a rip?
I’m going to interrupt this gripping tale with a question. It is, in fact, a good question: Who cares about the employee of the month? The actual employee of the month, that’s who. Recognition for a job well done is powerful.
One of the greatest frustrations among men is the feeling that we’re not truly appreciated. We faithfully trudge off to work every day, bringing home the bacon so our families can survive—lots of self-denial but few accolades. And one of the greatest frustrations among wives and mothers is that they, too, feel unappreciated. Many women in the world have two jobs—one at home and one somewhere else. To them, their work is usually met with outbreaks of thanklessness. And how about your children? Most of the time they are doing their best. Frankly, you have expectations for them to act like adults so, because they’re kids, they usually feel like they’re failing to meet up to your standards. They, too, feel unappreciated—unrewarded for their genuine efforts.
“God is not unjust,” the writer to the Hebrews tells us; “he will not forget your work” (v. 10). “He rewards those who seek him” (11:6).
Part of the dilemma of living with people in a family who all feel unappreciated and unthanked is that everyone is waiting for someone to recognize them first. So no one gets what they’re looking for.
I have an idea. Today you got your recognition. You heard that God hasn’t over- looked your hard work and your faithfulness. He’s not an absentee superior. Because He’s watching, He knows you do want to be His man in your home, and in spite of your failings, He knows you’re doing pretty well. “Congratulations,” God is saying to you and me. “I have seen what you’ve done, and I’m grateful. Good work, Dad.”
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, it’s time for you to pass it on to those other unappreciated members of your clan. It’s time for you to post an “Employee of the Month” sign for someone else.
I sat through lunch with my family at the restaurant that day, completely drenched— including my shoes and socks. Not one of the most delightful experiences of my life. I hope the employee of the month appreciates this, I silently shivered.
I’ll bet he or she did. Recognition for a job well done is powerful.