The Wisdom of a Child

The following story is copied from an anonymous author.
A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell.  He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his property.  As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls.  He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.
"Mister", he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies." 
"Well", said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."
The boy dropped his head for a moment.  Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.
"I've got thirty-nine cents.  Is that enough to take a look?"  "Sure" said the farmer.  And with that he let out a whistle.  "Here Dolly!" he called.
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.  The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence.  His eyes danced with delight.  As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.  Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller.  Down the ramp it slid.  Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up. 
"I want that one", the little boy said, pointing to the runt.  The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy.  He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.  In doing so, he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a s specially made shoe.  Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."
With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup.

I cannot help but think how many times I make the same assumption as the farmer when it comes to my own children.  I think I know what they need and will try to steer them to make, what believe is the best decision, rather than trust the Lord and them to make the decision that is best for them and their circumstances.  It is amazing to see the wisdom of children in action, just as it is amazing to see the wisdom of our Lord and Savior in action in our lives each and every day.  Sometimes we feel like the farmer, like we have the whole thing figured out and we know what is best.  But what is amazing is when we realize that we are need to be more like the little boy, with his frailties, compassion, empathy and wisdom,  And most importantly, trust that the Lord will give exactly what we need, exactly when we need it.