Doing laundry is a very unsatisfying task. I pull clothes from the hamper, wash them, dry them, fold them, and put them away, but before I can finish all that, more dirty clothes have appeared in the hamper again. I can never quite check “laundry” off my to-do list. It just always needs doing.

I think because it always needs doing yet never is completed, I rarely get thanked for doing it either. People get thanked for big, one-and-done tasks like fixing the broken refrigerator, picking someone up from the airport, or sewing a costume for the school play.

But laundry? When do I even thank someone? When it’s dry but in a pile in the laundry basket? Or when it has been folded perhaps? If I wait until it’s been put away, how do I even know that it happened?

There are plenty of other thankless tasks like this in the world. Garbage collection maybe. Janitorial services of all kinds actually. Lawn mowing. Weeding. Grocery shopping. Preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner…

Even though these tasks usually go unnoticed and seemingly unappreciated, they are all incredibly important. They are vital in fact. God knows it. He sees me and appreciates everything I do that contributes to a better world in any way, big or small.

“Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭CSB‬‬

When I’m folding laundry, I don’t think about all the accolades I will get for a job well done. And hopefully I don’t grumble about the thankless task either. Instead I remember I am humbly serving God by working hard and doing a good job.

Dear God,

Thank you for your promise to see me and reward me for my hard work and humble acts of service. Forgive me for grumbling when I feel under appreciated. Teach me how to be satisfied in this life with the promise of rewards in the next when I humbly serve you.