Meant to be?

I’ve never been someone who believes in fate, destiny, or the idea that something is “meant to be.” Although I was raised to believe in God, I have never once considered it a possibility that he would become directly involved with individuals’ lives. It’s not that I think that he doesn’t care. Rather, in my view, God has more important things to occupy his time than which team wins the Super Bowl or whether Brittany Spears sells a gazillion records.

I know many people would disagree with my viewpoint. In fact, most of my own family feels that God directly guides their path. My mother goes as far as to negotiate with God. For instance, she pledged to do many hours of volunteer church work if He made it possible for Skyler to stay with the family. Bargaining with God strikes me as being a tad sacrilegious. After all, it’s not as if God needs my mother to do him any favors. Still, after four years of taking care of the precocious 4-year old, my mother has been working to make good on her deal with God. And, really, who am I to criticize?

I respect people’s belief systems, and am more than open to the possibility that I am wrong. In some ways, I hope I am. It would be easier to have the sort of faith that tells me that every step I take is being controlled by a higher power, or that God has such a vested interest in what I do so as to make sure that I don’t make a false step.

At least when it comes to my impending move to Germany, a few things have been happening to cause me to question my stance against the idea that some things are simply “meant to be.” For instance, Max and I just learned that two of our dearest friends are being transferred to Germany a few months before we move. Is it just a coincidence that Anne and Doug will be living just an hour away from us? Maybe. But then, just today, something else unexpected happened. I learned that there may be a work opportunity for me with my company over in Heidelberg.

Even though I was already excited about the possibilities of living abroad, I get warmer and fuzzier feelings the more these sort of coincidences happen. Could it be that my meeting Max and moving to Germany is simply meant to be? Or, am I merely the happy recipient of some very good circumstances?

Either way, I'll take it.