Pile of Purpose

Begin by asking your child to gather a small collection of toys. (If toys aren’t available, small stones, buttons, or even stickers will work equally well.) Next, challenge your child to think of and identify all the different roles they fulfill and jobs or tasks they complete each day. As they do so, have him or her set one toy aside for each. If your child struggles, help them along by reminding them of all the different things they do each day: they are a student at school, a friend to others, a helper at home, a caregiver to pets, etc. After you and your child have identified all the roles possible, tell your child to take a moment to look at the pile of toys. Point out how large the collection of toys is! Share that all of the toys—and the roles they represent—show just how capable and skilled they really are. Encourage them by specifically pointing out all that they successfully do each day. They know and can do a lot! The evidence is right there in that pile of familiar toys in front of them. End the activity by explaining that sometimes he or she may feel anxious or overwhelmed, and that that’s okay, too. It’s okay to feel this way, but it’s important to know the truth: We never have to do things alone. Jesus promises to always be with us and to help us when we call on Him. God will be faithful to help us accomplish all the tasks He’s given us to do.