The Trinity in Apples

It is the second official week of fall and apple season is in full swing; apples by the bushel are on sale, apple dippers, apple pies, apple cider and caramel apple treats are at every end cap of the grocery stores. As September slips into October and gives way to pumpkin pie and Halloween, take one last look at a children's book with an interesting "apple" twist.

We often look at nature and wonder how it was created. Why is it so complex? Sometimes we, adults, hardly understand the complexity of life, nature, religion and faith. Of the many religious faiths in the world today, Christians sometimes remain torn, divided or unsure about the Trinity of God - God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost). Published children's author Joanne Marxhausen explains the Trinity of God in her children's book, 3 in 1 A Picture of God.

Marxhausen explains that each part of the apple - the peel, flesh, core - have different functions, yet are all "apple" and nothing else. She also goes on to explain that the Trinity [three parts] of God - Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit - are all God in different forms. She states that just as the peel protects the apple - God the Father protects humankind, an apple has flesh - Jesus was God made flesh and the core of the apple, like the Holy Spirit, contains the seeds. Just as seeds of apple trees grow in fertile, watered and cared for ground; seeds of faith will sprout, grow and flourish. The seeds of faith are just that - faith - in something [God] that has no tangible nature. One of the major values and beliefs taught in the Christian faith is that its communities [churches or denominations] of people need to nurture and care for one another to keep the seeds of faith alive.

Marxhausen also aligns and closes her story with a passage from the Book of Galatians (chapter 5:22-23 NIV) and the fruits of the spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness [or humility] and self-control. These fruits could possibly be some virtues for all human kind to live by. No matter where you began, where you are headed or where you've ended up - take some time to absorb the simple beauty of nature, have faith, apply some of the fruits of the spirit to your own life, share this story with your children and God Bless!