By Melanie Rigney
“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” ~ Matthew 6:1
If we’re truly honest about it, most of us love recognition for our good deeds. It doesn’t have to be a standing ovation or social media recognition that goes viral. But there’s something so human and so understandable when we hear that “thank you,” whether it comes from a spouse or a child or a friend or a work colleague or people in our congregations or ministry.
Show a Little Appreciation, Please
When we toil day in and day out at home or away, what we do threatens to become drudgery rather than a gift or a privilege. We love God, but the Almighty’s reward can seem very far off and so intangible.
I think about my friends we’ll call the Johnsons. While we were in the same parish for twenty years, I doubt more than maybe one percent of the congregation knew their names. Their names were seldom in the bulletin or on the parish website. Yet they left a hole last summer when they moved about seventy miles away due to Ann’s mobility issues.
Examples in Action
For years, they made sure people had rides to medical appointments and Mass. Jim served for decades as an EM. And an usher. And a voice with the Filipino choir for a nine-day Advent novena. He doesn’t speak Tagalog, but he helped when needed.
Ann trained hundreds of sacristans. She could always be counted on to decorate for special Masses and to bring plenty of food for events, never complaining about the lack of other volunteers or telling everyone about what a great woman she was for doing all this.
I’m someone who likes some praise and acknowledgment. The Johnsons show me the only recognition that lasts comes from God. It’s the only one that’s truly worth having.
Prayer:
Abba, I offer my good deeds, and ask for a Godly hug when I feel unappreciated. Amen.
Call to Action:
Say thank you to someone who does the work day in, day out, without recognition.
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It’s so true! We DO want the “kudos”, but your article, here, reminds us that it’s God’s eyes that see that matters.
I love this! God is watching, no matter what the bulletin says. And He is the one who counts!
Thanks, Gwen and Clara! I am such a people pleaser, but can forget it’s the audience of the One that matters.
I love this, Melanie. And it’s true — we cannot say thank you enough. The same goes with please. As I told my sons often, and continue to do so today, they are the most powerful words in English. Actually, in any language, as my mother said on many a day when we were living in London and, later, Hong Kong, during Dad’s UPI career. Keep up the great work, Melanie. You are a wonderful voice.