The idea of predestination has always bothered me, and yet, as I experience Life, it seems that we are not all created equal. Some appear to have been given special qualities for successful living, while others lack the ability to cope with Life’s obstacles. We all experience trauma, some more than others, and trauma leaves scars that we must learn to live with, however, not all of us react in the same way. I have raised hundreds of children, mostly from minority groups, who were considered “Vulnerable” because of their physical, emotional, or family status. Most carry deep scars from abuse, neglect, or discrimination. I have tried to love them all equally, however, not all have responded similarly. Some have done well while others have failed. Some are now Pastors or Monks, while others are in prison because they became thieves and murderers. Some have demonstrated amazing strength in overcoming obstacles, while others commit suicide. My question over the years has been: ‘What makes the difference?’
Are we predestined to respond to Life in certain ways, or do we have a choice in how we react to the obstacles put in our Path? Are the barriers put there to strengthen some and to destroy others? I ask these questions because in my Life I have known at least 30 children who at one time sat on my lap and played “Patty cake, patty cake” with me, but eventually took their own lives. Was there something I could have done to prevent this? Is there a formula I could have used or something I could have said that would have given them the desire to push forward?
There are no answers to these questions, I realize that, but still… I wonder ‘What makes us who we are?’ Have you ever accidentally stepped on an ant and watched as it lay helpless on the ground, while its comrades continued to march around it? Sooner or later, one of the ants will step out of line and go to the injured ant to evaluate its condition. It will then call over others who will help to carry the injured ant away, hopefully to a clinic… but possibly to be eaten. My question is: ‘What made the one ant step out of line to help its comrade when none of the others did? Was it by choice, or did it possess a quality which none of the others had?’
