I think from time to time that we all need to ponder whether our life is or was planned, our experiences through childhood considered by our parents, what God’s plan is for us, and how much we’ve taken the best advantage of the gifts of all kinds that we’ve been granted. We are all left to wonder whether our circumstances and experiences were random? Fate or destiny? Planned?
From my earliest childhood memories, I recall positive experiences being with people from widely different backgrounds. From meeting and playing with families of different races in the inner city of Milwaukee, even during the race protests of the early ’60’s, having numerous international college students eating with us and spending time at our house, learning songs from Korea, Nigeria and Ghana, words and foods from Japan, having real Mexican tamales become a lifelong favorite taste after hanging out in the onion sheds with kids in the migrant camps. Then there were the regular new family arrivals, with five Korean and three Filipino siblings each bringing new words, tastes, and music.
I believe that our parents planned for us to be open and comfortable with cultures and people who didn’t look or sound like us. It was conscious and proactive on their part, and I don’t think I fully appreciated the blessing wrapped into it until I was offered the opportunity to write my own job description and take on an international business development challenge for 6+ years late in my career. The people I was working with had observed how freely and positively I interacted with international visitors, trying to learn a few phrases (pronounced correctly!) with each one. I guess that I had always taken that ease or ability for granted. In fact, I believe that it was taught and nurtured from very young on.
Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then it turns you into a storyteller – Ibn Battuta
I am grateful for all of those life experiences. For me, they are a lifelong collection of moments of Grace.