I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms (Hosea 11: 3)
I reminisce about days long gone, when our children were learning to walk. At first they show that they are ready to learn to walk by standing and hesitantly taking a step or two. My wife and I then reached out and encouraged them to walk towards us. We hold their hands or the ropes on their overalls. We commend every effort and encourage every endeavor. We never get discouraged, or give up until they succeed.
So did our heavenly Father: He “taught [Israel] to walk” (Hosea 11: 3). He lifts His children "in My arms" and "draws them with the cords of faithfulness, with the bonds of love" (verses 3,4).
Our heavenly Father stands before us with open arms, urges us to step toward holiness, and will immediately hold us when we stumble. He will raise us up when we fall. He never gets discouraged or gives up seeing our progress. The more difficult the process we face, the more attention and kindness He pours out.
George MacDonald once said, "God will help when we can't walk, and He will also help when it's hard for us to walk. However, He can't help if we don't want to walk." Even if you fall, you have to try again. Father will hold your hand -DHR
WE CANNOT RUN IN A CHRISTIAN RACE
BEFORE WE LEARN TO WALK
*) Take from Daily Reflections