Bloom!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11KJV

Have you ever heard the saying, "Bloom where you are planted?" Last year my husband put down greenhouse paper and rocks over most of our flower beds because we didn't have time to maintain them. I had a basket of petunias hanging on the fence.

This year a lone petunia came up through the rocks. I thought dry weather would soon kill the flower, but no, it grows and blooms right where the seed fell.

This week our VBS was about Joseph. He obeyed and had patience, confident his faithful God had a plan for him. Things really looked bad when Joseph was sold into slavery then ended up in prison for something he didn't do. But Joseph continued to serve and believe that God's plan would be the best.

God has a plan for each of us. He planned for us before we were even born. Like Joseph, we need to be obedient, patient and confident God will bring us to an expected end. In other words, "Bloom where we are planted."

Hey Kids:

My petunia plant is what gardeners call a volunteer. It grows without someone planting or tending it often in the worst possible place.

We don't choose our families. Sometimes as kids, we often feel like we must be in the wrong family. But God has a plan and a purpose for you right where you are.

Have you read the story of Joseph? It's found in Genesis chapters 37-45. In VBS we looked at the life of Joseph in only a chapter or two each day. In about a week you can have the whole story read. Jot down some things you notice about Joseph's life as you read each day. It might be a good idea to do this with a friend. We acted out a lot of the story with a beach towel for a coat of many colors, a fuzzy white sweater for a baby animal and a red scarf for the blood. A few other homemade items designated characters. Acting out a story helps us see what's happening and feel the emotion of the situation. It improves our understanding. Girls, you can do this too. We face the same types of situation as boys and Joseph.

Here's an idea:
Day 1: Dreams were important ways for God to communicate in Joseph's day because the Bible wasn't yet written. God gave dreams to Joseph. Jacob, his father, took note of the dreams though he seemed to scold Joseph. Was Joseph simply repeating what God had told him or was he being a bragging little brother?

Day 2: Why would the brothers sell their little brother into slavery? How do you think they felt when they let their father believe Joseph had been killed?

Day 3: To whom was Joseph obedient? What is the verse that supports your answer? What can you learn from Joseph's answer and actions?

Day 4: Is life always fair? How did Joseph always end up in a good position even in a bad situation?

Day 5: I wonder why the prisoners didn't always look sad. How do you think Joseph helped his prisoners lead happy lives even in prison? Do you think it was easy to give a good interpretation to one man and then a bad interpretation to the other? Who actually gave the interpretation?

Day 6: Have you figured out yet how long Joseph has been away from his family, a slave and a prisoner? How do you think he felt when he was forgotten by the cupbearer?

Day 7: Finally out of prison with a bath and shave. But now he must interpret a dream for Pharoah. Joseph was confident in his interpretation. Why did Pharoah make Joseph second in command?

Day 8: How did Joseph feel when he saw his brothers? Why do you think he treated them roughly?
What verse tells you how the brothers felt about their situation? What did Joseph tell his brothers when they confessed to having mistreated him years before?

Share your thoughts with a friend or family. Ask questions about things you aren't sure about. Talking about the things of God with other Christians helps us all to grow where we are planted. And don't forget God has a plan specifically for you.

Blessings,

Gail