“Everyone will share the story of Your wonderful goodness, they will sing with joy about Your righteousness” (Ps.145:7).

Introduction

Goodness gracious! Swing into spring with flowers and friends! The purpose of this program is to grow the friendships of the women in the group, to share the goodness of God as seen in the lives of the women around us and to testify to God’s love as witnessed in His creation.

Program Ideas

Invite each woman to share a little information on her favorite flower. For example, “I love sunflowers because my grandmother always had some in her garden. She would complain that she didn’t plant them, but rather that they planted themselves. She made it seem that they were a bother. In spite of this she carefully watered them and talked to them as she worked in her garden.”

Or the women can share general information about their favorite flower. If you decide to choose this option, let the women know ahead of time so that they can be prepared. An example: “Sunflowers are the only flower with “flower” in their name. The sunflower turns its face throughout the day to follow the sun. They are native to the Americas. The world’s tallest sunflower was 30 feet and one inch tall. In 2012, sunflower seeds were taken into space and grown on the International Space Station.”

Ask the women to bring a dozen of their favorite flowers to share with the other women in the group (similar to a cookie exchange at Christmas time). This will ensure that each woman leaves with a bouquet and that during the week she can remember the women represented by the flowers.

Decorating Ideas

On each table place a medium-sized vase filled halfway with water. As they arrive, ask each woman to place one of the flowers she brought in the vases on each of the tables. Additional vases will be needed to hold the women’s flowers during the flower exchange. In addition, place a half–sheet, color photo (postcard size) of a flower in bloom. This will be used for the activity during the devotional time. Napkins, plates and cups should be in keeping with the floral theme. Flower seed packets, or scattered seeds, are a lovely addition to the table setting.

Refreshments

Cut finger sandwiches into flower shapes using cookie cutters. Cookies and melon can also be cut into flower shapes. Serve floral tea, such as rose or lavender, in flowered teapots.

“He Loves Me!”

Many little girls like to play the game “He loves me, he loves me not.” By pulling the petals of a flower she can determine if her current boyfriend is “the one,” her true love. With God we never have to wonder about this. We know that He loves us. His Word tells us that this is true. We read in Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are?” Jesus continues to explain this love a few verses later, “And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you” (Matt. 6:30).

Activity

One way to understand God’s love for us, which is far greater than His love for the flower in your vase, is to have it affirmed by others. Each of you has a picture of a flower at your place. Please turn the picture over and write your name on the back. Once you have written your name, hand it to the woman on your right. Once you have the received your new flower, write one thing you enjoy or appreciate about the woman who passed it to you on a flower petal in the picture. Once you have written a word or phrase of appreciation, pass the picture to the woman on your right. Now, check the name on the back of the picture, and write one thing you appreciate about that woman on a flower petal. It may be something simple like her smile or something deeper like her knowledge of God’s Word. Once you have written your word, pass it to the woman on your right. This will continue until everyone has their original flower returned to them. Now you hold in your hand a flower whose petals reflect all that God created you to be, all that He lovingly placed in you. Each petal represents the beauty those around you see in you, a reflection of the Father.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the gift of flowers and friends, both of which remind us of Your faithfulness to us and through us. We are blessed by the beauty we see in one another and in the flowers in front of us. Help us as we walk through this season of blossoms to see the beauty in those around us, to encourage one another, and to acknowledge Your goodness to us. Help us to sing Your praise!