God is not like a genie who grants wishes

Shattered wishes, broken dreams, and dashed hopes … Disappointment is something that children experience in a raw, immediate way. Yet even in those moments, God is a loving companion, understanding exactly what each of us truly needs.

Children have lots of wishes: ice cream before dinner, the doll with the stylish outfit in the shop window, one more episode of their favourite series, or a big birthday party with pony rides. Sometimes parents can fulfil these wishes, but sometimes they cannot. And that is a good thing. Even God does not grant every wish—not out of indifference, but out of deep love. He sees further than we do and knows what is truly good for us, just like a loving mother and an understanding father.

In a child’s world everything is possible

For young children, fantasy and reality often blur together. At this stage, they need loving support when reality begins to assert itself. Those who respond with patience and care help children hold on to their trust in what is good—even when things don’t go as planned.

A faith prompt: God is not like a genie who grants every wish on demand, but He is always with us. Parents can teach their children to bring their deepest desires before God in prayer and to trust that He will answer—if not as we expect, then always full of love.

Growing up means learning to cope with frustration

Nursery and primary school children learn that they cannot always have what they want—and that they are still valued and loved. This realisation is painful, but an important part of growing up. Parents can help children to see setbacks not as rejection, but as a normal part of life. When children realise that love is not tied to the fulfilment of their wishes, a deep trust can grow within them—trust in their parents and in God. A faith that offers a solid foundation even in life’s storms.

Creative idea: A little “disappointment book” in which children can write down what didn’t go as planned, and right next to it in a separate column, something good that happened instead. This is how the seeds of comfort are sown.

Youth is a time of questions, rebellion, and nostalgia

Young people ask questions. They experience injustice, loneliness, and fears about the future. Some wishes remain unfulfilled; some requests seem to go unanswered. It is precisely at such moments that they need to hear: “You’re not alone. God is holding you close.”

It is especially valuable when parents create space for honest conversations without rushing to provide answers. There is no need for theological explanations, but for a genuine willingness to listen and trust that faith can sustain us—even when we do not fully understand.

Comfort for parents: Sometimes it is hard to see your child feeling sad. The desire to fix everything is strong. Yet children grow precisely when they learn that they can cope with disappointment and pain—and that they do not have to face it alone.

Summary

God loves us regardless of our success, our achievements, or whether our prayers have been answered. Parents who care for their children in this way offer them a deep sense of unconditional acceptance, trust, and peace. Sometimes, the greatest gift is not what we receive, but what remains when we realise that love is not tied to conditions.

Maraike Finnern is a teacher and school counsellor at a primary school in Hamburg, Germany. She heads the Children and Teaching Working Group for the Regional Church of Northern and Eastern Germany.

Photo: TISHKOVA – stock.adobe.com

About the author

Maraike Finnern is a teacher and school counsellor at a primary school in Hamburg, Germany. She heads the Working Group Children and Teaching for the Regional Church of Northern and Eastern Germany.