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When my oldest child, Andrea, was a little girl, she and her cousin Shelby would tie ropes around their Barbies, dangle them from the balcony, and offer up “plays” for me to watch. Full of vigor, loud voices, snickers, and inventiveness, they relished their opportunity to flex their vast creativity.

It was hilarious — most times, unintentionally.  Usually, following the end of their latest “play,” they would pull those poor Barbie dolls up by the ropes, stand up and yell “Ta dah!” as though they had just performed the most magnificent program in the history of mankind. Oh, how they enjoyed their successes!

When she started school, Andrea determined to be a good student. Throughout her schooling, she worked hard, poured over books, and delighted in the good grades at each term. Some times she would open the report card and go, “Ta dah!”  This was her way of enjoying success.  And her mom was probably more pleased than anyone!

As I watched her and each of the children get excited over the latest personal success, I have smiled any time they determined to do well. It tickled me to watch their excitement over some new trick they learned, prize they got at school for this or that recognition, or new stunt they picked up from a friend (having three boys equals all kinds of stunts). They were pleased as punch, so the old saying goes.  Their smiles were worth a million dollars.

The “ta dah!” factor is to experience a great feeling as a child. To be honest, it continues to feel good as we get older. Any time we are trying our best, however small the effort may be; any time we are creatively involved and enjoying it; or growing in any number of good ways, there is something in us that makes us want to smile up at Heavenly Father and say, “Ta dah! I did it, Father!  I am so thankful for the blessings! Look at what I accomplished with Thy help!”

How much better, and more blessed, we may be when we focus more on the accomplishments of spiritual growth and gifts. And how much deeper our appreciation for our forward progress.

Elder Marvin J. Ashton taught us: “The desire to achieve has been placed in us by a loving Creator who honors our free agency but nonetheless beckons us to do well.” (October General Conference, 1977.)

The rejoicing we feel within, having made and reached a goal, is a recognition of that divinely placed desire.  In our better moments, setting our sights on growth in eternal principles and heavenly practices, we are feeling the tug of that celestial beckoning.

Because my son Christopher wants to go on a mission, he is more interested in learning how to cook (because my husband told him he would be on the “A List” of companions once the word got around), how to iron (hallelujah), and how to accomplish the little day-to-days that Mom won't be around to perform for him in a pinch.  He is feeling the tug.

Trust me, any time he wants to walk out of the laundry room with a newly pressed shirt to show off his ironing expertise, I am right there to enjoy the “Ta dah!” moment!

Likewise, surely our Father in heaven is right there to smile and appreciate each new thing we learn, each worthy creative effort we undertake, every achievement we gain.

As we work on those desires to become more like Him, He is right there to cheer us on and to offer us a loving hand. 

President Gordon B. Hinckley, in his testimony of our Father, shared these words: “His love is greater than the love of any other, for His love encompasses all of His children, and it is His work and His glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His sons and daughters of all generations.” (See Moses 1:39.)