Last night as I sat at the table eating an apple with Elijah, he looked up at me and said, "Mom, I can understand that plants make fruit, but what I really can't understand is how the flavor gets in there." Of course, I sat there stunned for a moment before I could even come up with the simple response that I didn't know, either. In fact, it's not just that I don't know the answer to that; I don't think I've even thought of the question before.
In my Sunday school class just that morning, we were discussing God's mysteries, the secrets He keeps from us. One person brought up another apple reference about how Adam and Eve ate the fruit of knowledge in an effort to be as wise as God.
I am amazed and perplexed by the number of times that God has used Elijah and one of his innocent comments to remind me of a bigger truth.
The most incredible part? This little boy is also a part of a plan that I didn't understand. Elijah is our bonus child, a surprise. . . a most generous gift from God.
At a time when I feel like my two older kids don't need me so much (and that's okay—really), today I have a little boy who shows me the painted turtle he found and tells me that it's Johnny Appleseed's birthday. I have a boy who still likes to slip his hand in mine as we walk and one who wants to be tucked in and kissed goodnight. I have a boy who likes to hum the Star Wars theme, sing Michael Jackson's "Beat It," and practice whistling through his toothless smile.
No, I don't always understand what's going on in the world and in my personal life, but I'm at peace knowing that my omniscient, omnipotent Father does. He's shown me that although my plans aren't sufficient, His are, and that's enough for me.