Came to be.

Have you ever wondered about how you came to be? Not in a The Bird and The Bees sort of way, but rather how you came to be in the place you are today, or how about the person you turned out to be at this very moment? I find myself in continual amazement over the series of events, the encounters with various individuals, which have so greatly influenced my life.

For instance, if it were not for my sister, I don't think I would have ever learned to control my temper. I can still travel back in my mind to a moment where I gave into my lesser-self (as I like to think of it) and was blind with overly-emotional anger. No matter how long I reflect in this memory, I cannot unearth the reason for this frustration. What I do recall is taking a small alarm clock from my bedroom and hurtling it through the hallway in an attempt to "hurt" her. Why I chose a 2x2'' purple (yes, I even remember the pastel color) alarm clock, I couldn't say other than maybe I hoped it would do the least amount of damage to the hallway. Sadly, my lack of spatial awareness was already fully developed and I missed her completely. This act however was not missed by my father, who just happened to enter the hallway at that exact same moment. Though I have lost my temper since then, it was this moment that I hold on in my mind as the example of how foolish (especially for me) acting in anger is.

My sister was not the only person to help teach me lessons in life(though she was present in many of them), my dear friend Karen has taught me many as well. Just this past week, while we talked on the phone, I was again reminded of her great loyalty to others and those lucky enough to be distinguished as her friend. How I wish I could spend more time in her presence. For it is there that I find myself comparing her great passion and care for others to my lack thereof. It is through our conversations that I am challenged to love with quality of words, time, and service.

As I continue to reflect, and remember all those who have ever entered my life, I see that this story goes much farther back and is more intricate than this post or any others could allow. I marvel at the One who mapped the web of my life into the wonder of workmanship it is winding up to be. And though there (God willing) is more to be spun in the tale of my existence, I will continue to remain in wonder over how I, like so many others, came to be.