Invite your child to help you and together begin gathering all the necessary ingredients.‍

While the collection of items on the counter grows, begin adding a few random but completely unrelated “ingredients.” Up the absurdness by talking aloud as you do so. “Maybe we’ll need some paper clips… Let’s add some crayons … Oh! I almost forgot the dish soap … .” The more ridiculous, the better. So, really ham it up!

Your child will either howl with laughter or want to correct you. Maybe both! Either way, ask them why not add these items? Ask him or her why these (admittedly out-of-place) “ingredients” shouldn’t be added to the meal? Allow a few minutes for him or her to adequately express and articulate their opinions.

Afterward, agree with your child. It’s difficult to imagine a meal made with all these ridiculous items. It’s impossible! But Jesus can do this with our lives. He can take the challenges, hurt, and pain and turn it into something beautiful—something better than we could ever imagine ourselves.

Anger and unbelievable challenges might seem to tear up a life. It can feel like nothing good will ever come of any of it. Such a mess of stressful stuff can make us feel hopeless. But Jesus can do the impossible. He gives us hope! The ingredients we add to what Jesus can do is patiently waiting and trusting in Him.