Today is Men Make Dinner Day.

It’s official! Today women across the country have permission to hang up their aprons and hand over the whisk and the spatula to the men. It’s time for Men Make Dinner Day!

So what feelings does the thought of your dad making dinner bring? Maybe fear, if Dad’s last creation was inedible and ended up in the garbage disposal. Amusement, if your dad hasn’t mastered the art of microwaving. Joy, if you know that Dad cooking dinner means you get your choice of carryout.

To be fair, many men know their way around the kitchen. Some of the world’s greatest chefs are men. Not all men panic when they are faced with preparing a meal. But one time, Jesus’ friends were anxious when they were given the task of feeding a crowd.

A huge crowd of people had been sitting all day listening to Jesus speak. At first the disciples had suggested that the crowd leave and find their own food. But Jesus told them, “You feed them.” That’s when they panicked! How were they going to find—never mind pay for—enough food to feed all those people? After all, there were no fast-food joints to zip into and pick up cheeseburgers for five thousand.

Yet when the disciples listened and followed Jesus’ instructions to gather all the available food and arrange the people in groups, they witnessed a miracle meal. You know the story. Jesus took two fish and five loaves of bread, prayed for God’s blessing, and then fed everyone.

So the next time you are given an “impossible” assignment—whether it’s cooking a meal for your family or working on a difficult project—don’t panic. Let Jesus in on it. Do all you can, and then ask God to do the rest!

If you will only obey me and let me help you, then you will have plenty to eat (Isaiah 1:19).

To Do

Team up with your dad to prepare dinner for the family tonight.

Also on this day

Today is All Saints Day.

1512—Michelangelo’s paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel were first exhibited to the public.

1800—President John Adams became the first president to live in the White House.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.