Two ongoing paradoxes haunt every child.
The first comes in the direct form of their parents. I did not have a choice in mine and I do not think that you did either. Given our experiences, I doubt that we would be willing to exchange our parents, especially our mothers for anyone else. I know that others would take the opposite view. Mothers and fathers create and often dramatically shape our early views and the world around us. Fathers often go on to take on a mythical status that can be awesome or troubling to the child that fights to become the adult. I wonder how many would change their parents for anything else if they could choose with the knowledge they will have at the ends of their lives.
Parents have only a limited voice in the type of person we go onto become. Clearly, they lay the groundwork, however each of us fights to assume control for our own destinies. The irony is that both parents and children have a mutual parent who combines what is means to be father, mother, and God all in one. Just like a child's relationship to his parents, we do not choose to have God as our parent. God, knowing all of our weaknesses and failings, took a conscious decision to eternally unconditionally love and care for us.
I have parents without a choice. I have a God without a choice. I struggled as a child to accept my parent's best motives. I continue to struggle to understand and accept God's mercy and love for me. I honestly find it puzzling (difficult as well) to understand in my heart that God choose me knowing everything about me that I am willing to acknowledge.
Paul noted this about a friend; “a good choice by the Master! – and his mother.” (Romans 16.13) You may not realize it but the words apply to you and me just as well! I understand God better because of my parent's start. Now, if I can just be open to His unconditional love.
