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Jul 20, 2026 06:00am

Do It with Your Whole Heart

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“If you could only see me now, Dad.”

I think there’s something in each of us that longs for the approval of our fathers.

As children, we say, “Daddy, watch me!” as we do silly flips and twirls or show off our latest trick on our bikes. As we grow older, we proudly present our report cards, trophies, and accomplishments, hoping to earn that smile, that pat on the back, and the hug that says, “I’m proud of you.”

And then, one day… they’re gone.

The day my dad passed away, I knew there would be a void in my heart. We were close. While I had the assurance that he was in the arms of the Savior, grief was still very real.

Not a day goes by that I don’t find myself thinking, I wish Dad could see this.

To see his grandchildren.

To see the life we’ve built.

To spend time on the farm with us and help with the dogs.

To see the work we do at Lifeword.

To see his “Bon-Bon” living out her dreams.

I’m 43 years old, and I still want my father to be proud of me.

But as strong as that desire is, there’s another that is even greater.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
—Colossians 3:23-24

Do it heartily.

That means from the depths of your being. With every breath. With your whole heart.

This should be the pattern of our lives—not because we’re trying to earn God’s approval, but because we already belong to Him. Through Christ, we have His love, His grace, and His affection. And because we are His children, we want our lives to become a gift of worship in return.

This life will be filled with disappointments.

The job you didn’t get.

The promotion that went to someone else.

The award with someone else’s name on it.

The spot on the team that wasn’t yours.

The crown placed on another person’s head.

The congratulations you never received.

Or perhaps the children you’ve poured your life into never stopping to say, “Thank you.”

So keep living.

Keep moving.

Keep serving.

Keep loving.

And do it with your whole heart.

Do it as an offering to the Lord.

If our goal is the praise of people, we’ll always come away disappointed. Human approval is inconsistent, temporary, and often absent altogether.

But our Heavenly Father sees every unseen act of faithfulness.

Every quiet sacrifice.

Every act of obedience.

Every generous gift.

Every opportunity you seize to join Him in His mission.

And most of all, every act done in love.

Our lives become a sweet-smelling fragrance before Him.

He is glorified.

And one day, the only words that will matter will be these:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)