You are receiving an award –- either one that already exists, or a new one created just for you. What would the award be, why are you being honored, and what would you say in your acceptance speech?
I guess everyone at some time thinks about receiving an award or recognition for something they do, either in their job or as a way to help others. But at the same time we must be careful in how and why we do things. The Bible tells us in Matthew Chapter 6, verse 1: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
I am blessed to be gifted with an overwhelming desire to help others. It is part of my J.O.Y. principle mantra: Jesus First, Others Second, Yourself last. I do things for no other reason than I feel it is the right thing to do. I do not crave attention or awards, just to serve my God faithfully with the health, strength and gifts he has blessed me with.
About a year and a half ago, however, I began saying this to my children, who are now 17 and nearly 20, respectively. Whenever I get the Wi-Fi working again, solve some insurmountable (in their estimation) problem or some such kind of thing I say “Don’t forget to vote for me for Father of the Year!” Of course it is a joke on my part, but it can generate some laughs.
During this interminable winter with excessively high amounts of snow fall, I have had the opportunity to scoop out the driveway at my wife’s family’s driveway. For that occasion I re-tooled my words to say “Remember me when you fill out your ballot for Son-In-Law, Brother-in-Law and Husband of the Year!”
Personally I would rather others know they can count on me when in need than collect a trophy case full of hardware or awards. Not to say I won’t accept a Pulitzer Prize or book award for my novels when I publish. Some awards are okay if you have put in the hard work.
Joe's Musings 