The Surprise Inside

The flower gardener expected the daisy seeds to grow, but instead she discovered a tomato plant. Tiny tomatoes eventually appeared; by fall they were still small. Someone suggested picking them and placing them in a paper bag to ripen. She did so, even though her mother wondered why, since the tomatoes remained teensy-weensy and green.

Time turned a couple of the tomatoes red; the gardener ate one of them. Her mother marveled at the happening. It had never occurred to her that those tomatoes were meant to be petite: They were a type of tomato known as cherry.

Some observe us growing up, expecting a particular outcome; sometimes the outcome is a surprise no one ever considered. But God knew all along. Some look down and frown at the tiny green orbs that dangle in the frosty fall air; others pick them and pack them, pleased with the surprise inside.