“I need a volunteer,” the storyteller said. Eager hands shot up from the group of children seated at the front of the church. Like many adults, I looked forward to children’s story time as much or more than the little people gathered at the storyteller’s feet. This time I was puzzled by what I heard. “Poke your head through this hole,” the storyteller said to the child volunteers as he handed them ring-shaped objects of various size. Each child obediently poked their head through the hole of the object they held. The little girl with the hula hoop easily poked her head through the hole. The small boy holding a plastic pool ring poked his head through the hole with no problem. But the little fella who received a small metal washer just looked puzzled. His littlest finger wouldn’t fit through the hole; much less his head, yet the command came again: “Poke your head through the hole.” When all agreed that this was impossible, the storyteller handed the boy a small piece of straw. “Now poke your head through the hole.” Smiling broadly, the little fella used the straw to reach through the hole in the washer and poke his head.

“You know,” the storyteller continued, “God sometimes asks us to do things that we are sure are impossible. Instead of giving up, ask Him to show you how. When He gives us a task, He also gives the straw with which to do it.”

Such a profound lesson. When God gives us a task, He also gives us all we need to get that job done. Always. Even in Southeast Asia, where things often feel overwhelmingly difficult to this new missionary. “God, please show me how to do the impossible.” Like the piece of straw, His answers are always profoundly simple.

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