I’ve always been a hard worker. School never came easy to me, but I would study three times the amount of hours as my friends, and the results would be rewarding. I came into college being the worst runner on my team, but by my junior year I was on the varsity team and an alternate for Nationals. Hard work produces great reward. I learned that at an early age.

I’ve always been a hard worker. School never came easy to me, but I would study three times the amount of hours as my friends, and the results would be rewarding. I came into college being the worst runner on my team, but by my junior year I was on the varsity team and an alternate for Nationals. Hard work produces great reward. I learned that at an early age.

This whole idea got thrown for a loop when I arrived on the mission field in Honduras. I started out as one of the few volunteers and at a meeting it was made known that I was the “lowest on the ladder.” After getting upset and dwelling on this comment, my fellow missionary spoke truth over this statement saying there is no ladder on the mission field, we are all working for the same purpose.  Unfortunately, her words washed over me and I set my eyes on finding my way up the ladder. Part of the issue was how little recognition I was getting. I know, I know, I was on the MISSION FIELD. It isn’t about recognition. But after raising a baby for 4 months and then having to let go of him and spending countless nights in the public, Honduran hospital with a sweet 3 year old with cancer, I craved acknowledgement. I felt discouraged. And I felt alone.

I thought starting my own social media company for nonprofits and small businesses would be different. Any success it had would be all mine. No one else could get credit for it. I could finally have my love language (words of affirmation) spoken over me daily.  But then reality hit me. That just doesn’t happen in the real world and frankly, if we are looking for acknowledgement from people, we are going to be extremely disappointed.

“Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as something done for the Lord and not for men, Knowing with all certainty that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. The One Whom you are actually serving is the Lord” (Col. 3: 23-24)

The Bible states to try your best FOR THE LORD. Not for man. I thrive on working hard and accomplishing goals, but I need to be more in tune with the compliments I am receiving from God and the real reward coming.  There is nothing I can do to “better myself” in God’s eyes. I have done enough and AM enough because I am a child of the King. This is my purpose in my work.

“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” -Zephaniah 3:17