Jesus has big plans

It can be hard to trust that even when things don't work out the way you want them to, God's got a plan -- but it's really true. If the people in this week's Gospel (John 6:1-15) knew that, they might have trusted God even more!

When they saw the miracles Jesus was doing, five thousand people followed Him to a grassy field. They were tired and hungry, but Jesus didn't want to send them home. "Have them sit down," He told the Apostles. Then Jesus took five loaves of bread and two fish, blessed them, and gave them to the people. Suddenly, there was enough for everyone! Then the people knew Jesus was sent by God.

In the Gospel story, Jesus' followers liked what He was saying, but they were tired and hungry. Maybe they thought, "Jesus, if you were really God, you wouldn't let us get hungry in the first place!"

If you want something you don't get, there might be a million reasons why. Maybe your parents don't have the money or think other things are more important. Maybe they want you to save up for it so you understand how work makes money.

Just like your parents (and God) have a plan for you, Jesus had a plan for His followers. Instead of sending them home, He let them follow Him to do something really important: prove He was God by doing a miracle!

The people didn't get just what they might have wanted; they didn't get God to make it so people never get hungry. But they got something better: proof that God's really around! That's better than a full stomach -- or a new scooter.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, teach me to trust that things will work out good in the end, even if they don't feel good now! Amen.