“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” — Luke 6:35

Let’s be honest, loving people who don’t appreciate you is one of the hardest things to do. It’s easy to show kindness to someone who thanks you, celebrates you, or pours back into you. But when you keep giving, serving, supporting, and showing up for someone who barely acknowledges it… whew, that can feel discouraging.

Sometimes it feels like you do for others over and over, but when they do one small thing for you, they act like you owe them the world. They want your highest level of gratitude, and they’ll remind you, sometimes repeatedly, of the “favor” they did. And in that moment, your kindness suddenly feels small in comparison.

But here’s the truth: God sees what people forget.

When you love without applause…
When you give without being thanked…
When you offer patience, kindness, support, or forgiveness to someone who doesn’t even notice…

You’re walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

Jesus never based His actions on appreciation. He didn’t heal people only if they promised to return the favor. He didn’t teach only those who praised Him. He didn’t love based on what He could get back.

And that’s what this scripture is reminding us:
Your reward never depends on the applause of people. It comes from the Father.

People may overlook you.
They may minimize your kindness.
They may forget what you’ve done.
They may even take advantage of your heart.

But your Father in heaven sees every act, the visible ones and the ones nobody else knows about. And He promises that your reward will be great.

Why?

Because you are choosing to reflect Him, not them.

Earthly men and women often crave praise. They need validation and constant recognition. But you, a child of the Most High, are fueled by something deeper, something eternal.

You’re not looking for the world’s approval; you’re listening for the only words that truly matter:

“Well done, my child.”

So the next time you feel unappreciated…
When your good goes unnoticed…
When someone expects more gratitude than they’ve ever shown you…

Take a deep breath and remember:
You’re not doing it for them. You’re doing it for Him.

Keep loving.
Keep doing good.
Keep shining in ways the world doesn’t always understand.

Because your Father sees it all, and His reward lasts far longer than any thank-you ever could.

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