We began learning lessons concerning who we are and who God is, the relationship He desires to have with us as well as the one we are striving—with all the power He gives us—to have with Him. This layer of growth seemed to start occurring just about as soon as we heard the news of our first little one's existence.

I had a very special opportunity to see a part of God's character play out while interacting with my older son recently. Coming back from a shopping trip, I had given him a grocery bag (one of the lighter ones, as he is only 3) with an inexpensive toy in it to carry home from the car. It had come to mind as we were walking that, if he made it all the way to the front door with the bag, I could make the toy inside the bag his reward for being such a good helper.

All the way from the car to the door, I encouraged him, "Come on, you can do it!" and "Just a little further!" But, in my heart I was saying, "Please don't give up, I really want to give you the reward inside your bag!"

With every stair step—quite a feat for a little tyke to climb (especially with one occupied hand)—I encouraged him to not give up, to keep climbing, to remember there was something good in store for him when he made it to the top.

In effect, isn't that how God treats us? Shortly after encouraging His disciples to not worry about physical needs but to seek the Kingdom, Christ makes this statement: "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

Our loving and ever-merciful Father will never place heavy burdens upon us, dooming us to failure. Rather, He gives us everything we need in order to run and finish the race laid out before us (1 Peter 1:3; Hebrews 12:1).

So wonderful a God is He that He desires greatly for us to succeed—to choose life, to never give up. He is eagerly waiting with the highest anticipation to give His children the reward being kept for them.

My son made it all the way up those stairs and received the toy I promised him. There was great joy in that moment not only for him, but I venture to say, maybe even more for me. It was a wonderfully humbling and edifying experience. How much more does God rejoice when we do what He asks? UN