«Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord» (1 Corinthians 15:58).
ROSALIND FRANKLIN (1920—1958) dedicated her life to chemistry, a world to which she made great contributions. The most prominent of all had to do with DNA. Rosalind was responsible for the discovery of the double helix shape in the molecular structure of DNA, a shape she captured through X-ray diffraction images. However, the merit of the discovery was given to three men: James Dewey Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins. In 1962, when Watson, Crick, and Wilkins were awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine, Watson claimed that Rosalind should have also been awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry, something that did not happen. Unfortunately, Rosalind died at a young age, before being able to enjoy the international recognition that no one disputes today, because her work has been a great contribution to the field of medicine.
I ask you a question: How do you feel when, after an important effort on your part, after having made a contribution that you consider significant, after having been the key to the success of an event, or simply after a day of hard work at home or at your company, you do not receive any recognition or gratitude? I know it hurts; I know that it is frustrating, but I want to make a point here: even though no one approaches you to thank you, that does not mean that your contribution has gone unnoticed. God sees; God appreciates; God values; God does not forget. And through the whole experience (as negative as it may seem) He is taking you by the hand so you can grow, so you can stop putting your expectations on human beings.
I know that it is difficult at times to stand firm in a decision and persevere in an effort because we feel that it is of no use. It is tempting to think that way, but it also disheartens us. God does not want us to be discouraged, but quite the opposite: He wants to remind us that nothing of what we do for Him is in vain.
The time has not yet come, but someday God will say to you: «Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.