You asked a really good question, because it goes to the heart of service. We are called by Jesus to do two things: love God and love others. And we are to love “unconditionally” because that’s the way God loves us.

We can understand completely your feeling that you have failed at helping this lady. Nothing could be farther from the truth! You have been obedient to the Lord in serving her, even when your service isn’t always appreciated. We aren’t responsible for how people react to our overtures of love and service. We are only responsible to obey what Jesus told us to do.

Even the love that Jesus showed to others was not appreciated. Remember the story of the ten lepers? Jesus healed them all, and yet only one came back to thank Him. If people didn’t appreciate what Jesus did, we shouldn’t expect that people will always appreciate what we do for them.

Certainly you don’t want to be taken advantage of, so you don’t have to necessarily respond to this lady’s request that you get “nicer” things. At the same time, don’t think for a minute that your acts of kindness have gone unnoticed. Your Father in heaven knows, and that’s what really counts in the end.