There’s nothing like the love of a grandparent. While parents get to deal with all the tough parts of raising kids, grandma and grandpa get to do the fun stuff. Though not true across the board, most grandparents take joy in spoiling their grandchildren, whether it means buying them gifts, taking them on outings, getting their favorite food, or sharing a hobby or craft with them. Since they are typically older and less busy than mom and dad, they can give the kids their undivided attention and spend focused time with them (often to the delight of their parents). If you’re wondering where I’m going with this, the fact is that I believe envisioning the lavish and unconditional love of a grandparent better equips us to understand the role of God’s favor in our lives. Though many of us get uncomfortable with the use of this word, especially since it’s been abused by a few prosperity preachers, the truth is that our Lord wants to bless us. Unfortunately, when we pray, we often assume that He’s only interested in meeting our most basic needs and not in providing for our wants. However, I’m here to tell you that this is not the case! Like a doting grandparent, Jesus is overflowing with tenderness toward us, and He delights in giving us — His kids — the kinds of good and perfect gifts that cause our hearts to abound with deep joy and happiness.

My friend, you are blessed and highly favored! You are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, and your Savior takes joy in seeing you live a whole and prosperous life. Though physical health and wealth or not a guarantee, neither are they something that He withholds from you. In fact, God’s heart overflows with abundance, and healing is the essence of who He is. He doesn’t want you to be bogged down by the belief that He’s a cosmic killjoy, but rather, to receive His overflowing goodness so you can thrive. He’s delighted when you expect blessings to find you, and He reveals Himself mightily when you stretch your faith and make room to see His power revealed in a very personal way.