The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 NIV

Who would have the audacity to cheat on a love test?  Before I admit my guilt, let me explain.  I just read “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts.”  God was showing me how to love my husband in new, profound ways.

I was inspired.  I took the online test to find my own love language.  The description fit me like a glove!  If my husband could just love me that way… think of the possibilities!

I asked him to take the online test knowing he would be just as excited as I was.

I was wrong.

He had other things to do.  So I did what anyone infused with enough estrogen would do:  I took the test for him.  Certainly we had been married long enough for me to answer on his behalf.

“Acts of Service.”  That was it.  His love language.  The next two weeks I wracked my brain trying to find ways to serve him.  The most sacrificial act of service I performed was picking up the dog poop in our backyard.  Two weeks!  I didn’t miss a day.

Guess how many I-can’t-thank-you-enough-you’re-amazing-beyond-words I received?

Zilch.  Nada.  Zero.

So what did he say?  One day he was outside with an inquisitive look on his face.  He opened our sliding glass door and asked,

Hey honey?  Do you know if Digger is okay?  He stopped pooping in the yard!

I guess cheating on a love test has its consequences.

When I took this matter to God in a quiet time, He gently showed me my motivation.  I was serving my husband in order to receive something back.  At bare minimum, I wanted praise. I wanted to hear that I was the most amazing wife on this earth.

God’s Word in Matthew 25:40 filled my heart.  Serve my husband.  Serve others.  And know each time we serve with pure hearts, we’re doing it unto Jesus!  God sees those efforts and He’s thanking us.  What a change in perspective!

Am I alone in this craziness?  Have you ever worked tirelessly for others who seem to take no notice?  How can you keep Matthew 25:40 in your heart and in the forefront of your mind?  Do you like to keep reminders on note cards?  Or are you a tech-savvy person?  Come up with a plan that works for you!

Instead of looking to others for approval, let’s commit our efforts to Jesus.  It will be our love offering… and we won’t cheat on that test!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing and appreciating all that we do to care for others.  Please forgive us when we look to anyone besides You for our approval.  We commit our efforts to You alone.  Help us to not grow weary in doing good.  In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9 NIV