hilly has been part of our family for seven years. An 85-pound mixed-breed dog, we love him, care for his needs and reward him often. A pitiful glance toward the antique Hoosier in our kitchen tells us when Philly thinks he deserves a treat. Inside the cupboard door is a jar of dog cookies. He occasionally balks when we offer him one — instead turning his head and feigning disinterest until we up the ante to two cookies.

How often do we balk at the gifts our heavenly Father offers? How often do we fail to realize those blessings he has already given us in the presence of our chaotic schedules and insane lives?

We can’t expect to receive God’s blessings in line with our good deeds and behaviors the same way Philly expects his cookies. That’s not how the Lord works. Instead, he rewards us with loving comfort and a sense of wonderful peace. We don’t even have to do anything to merit such blessings! That was done for us a long, long time ago on the cross. Our role is simple, yet sometimes neglected. We don’t do this intentionally. Instead it’s a sort of apathy that creeps up on us when we’re busy tending to “important” things.

Like Philly, who knows that no matter what, he’ll still get his treats — we need to rest in the assurance that our rewards are handed out liberally as well by a loving, omniscient God. Our job is as simple as Philly’s. We need to exercise our faith and simply believe. The rewards will be there.