Baby Steps...

Baby Steps...1-13-26

As a baby, the first steps, whether literal or figurative, in everything they do are applauded and rewarded. As children grow, they begin to anticipate a reward for each new step they surpass. Some of these rewards are for grades, doing chores, good behavior, assessment scores, and even competing whether you win or not. Children are constantly rewarded. In doing this, there is an eventual expectation. Children become adults who need and anticipate immediate rewards in order to be satisified with life.

I think about my own life. Some children had atypical childhoods and grew up to not expect rewards, but to expect disappointments or worse, the bad things to happen. For those children, expecting anything good is a hard concept, let alone a Good Father who we can always count on and showers us with love and rewards our faithfulness with everylasting life. Luke 6:23,“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.” It was hard for me to accept that someone could love me enough to lay down His life for me. It was hard for me to accept the idea of a "good Father". I had not known what that looked like. Now that I have a relationship with my Father in Heaven, have accepted Jesus as my Savior, and have the Holy Spirit living inside to guide and direct my steps, it is easier to understand how God is good, how He can be referred to as a "Good Father", and how he can love us. When we are saved by grace, we understand that God loves us unconditionally. He changes our way of thinking and we trust His word.

On Earth, our steps will lead us in one of two directions, to the Lord or away from Him. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." I mess up daily. I go to God in prayer and repent. 2 Timothy 4:8, "Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." I pray my steps are true, and my reward is His face smiling as it shines on me.