Someone at a company I design product for, once asked me what motivated me to work such long hours to create my art.  I answered him, "I create refrigerator art for my Heavenly Father!"  He looked at me a little strangely, laughed and said, "You're going to have to explain that one to me."

"Well," I said, "If I worked for the praise and adulation of the manufacturers I design for or the store owners that buy the product or even the retail customers that are going to buy it for their homes or to give as gifts, I'm going to be totally disappointed.  Not because they don't appreciate it, but because I rarely ever hear from them."

"If I work to reach some pinnacle of glory and honor that's hard to define and even harder to reach, I'm going to become one sick puppy!  When I reach the mountain top I'm aiming for, I'll just look beyond and see a dozen peaks that are higher yet.  I've been blessed to design for many of the companies that have been on my wish list for years and have enjoyed each opportunity, yet it's hard to remember today what I did last month, last year or the last decade.  It's fun for the moment but it doesn't satisfy for a lifetime and beyond."

"So," I told him, "When I sit down in my art studio and begin to paint, I create art that my 'Daddy' will hang proudly on His refrigerator and point out to anyone who drops by saying, 'That's my kid, isn't she great?  Look what she made for me today!'  I find the greatest satisfaction when I create for an audience of one. "

"At the end of the day I hear Him whispering to my heart, 'Did you do your best?  If you did and you did it for me and not for the praise of man, then it's good enough to hang in my throne room!  Come curl up in my lap and tell me about your day." 

That word picture can apply to your life as well.  Do you work for the praise of your spouse or your boss?  For a raise or a promotion?  Do you work hard and no one seems to notice or tell you, "Thank you."  Do you work hard to make your family a success and all you get are the ungrateful whines of your children?  If you're discouraged, think of my little word picture and do your work as a gift to God that you will hand Him at the end of the day and see how it changes your motivation and satisfaction.