I work hard at my daily job which has been to sell real estate for over 25 years. In return, I am often given awards for my accomplishments.

For a person who likes to hear good news and who likes to be acknowledged, rewards honestly mean little to me. I think I have thrown away most of these trophies over the years as I consider them thoughtful but not good for keeping myself focused.

Awards tend to make us think in the past. I like to think of what I am going to accomplish in the future.

I’m not one to dwell on previous performance – I am always looking forward to what is coming next. There is just something about my spirit that takes pride in a job well done. I don’t need a piece of hardware to make me feel special.

However, there is one exception to this rule. I seek God’s approval. God makes me feel special. He has blessed me with a career that I love and a chance to share it with others. That’s reward enough.

In my world, God’s number one.

“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10