There are many ways to express that we will accept what ever comes. "If it's meant to be," is my phrase of choice. In Costa Rica, it is "Si Dios Quiere," or God willing. Personally, there are only certain occasions when I put my little phrase to use, like after a job interview. "If it's meant to be, you'll get the job." I would not, however, answer to a pregnant woman who has just told me that her baby is expected any day now, "Yes, if it's meant to be."
When I was pregnant here, "Si Dios quiere," was just the response I received from a local woman after I told her I was only one week away from my due date. This really took me back. How could she suggest that the successful delivery of my baby might not be what God would want? I thought it a very odd comment, and while I did not take it as being malicious, it has made me tune in more.
It turns out that practically everything here is pending on: "Si Dios quiere." Carla is going to have a birthday party next weekend, "Si Dios quiere." I'll meet you at the back of the market, "Si Dios quiere." Marie will be there to wash your windows, "Si Dios quiere." Luis said he would like to take you out on another date, "Si Dios quiere." The phrase just rolls off of tongues and seems as essential to a plan as a period is to the end of a sentence"."
I find it very burdensome that each and every mention of a plan has to be followed by the verbal acknowledgment that it might not be in the cards. What happened to optimism? Why must we constantly be reminded that things might not work out? It almost suggests that every bad thing we take measures to prevent would have, otherwise, been the will of God. Is everything in Costa Rica caged and gaurded by men with guns because God is waiting around willing theives and vandals to invade our homes and businesses? Probably not.
Sometimes, I want to end my thoughts with "Si Dios quiere o no," whether God wants it or not, but that would be disrespectful. I understand it is a cultural thing, and as a guest, this is just one of many circumstances when I must leave my own culture at home.
3 comments:
One of the phrases tossed about my little geek group of friends is "God wills it!" Taken directly from the movie Kingdom of Heaven, where it is often shouted by the Crusaders as justification for their consistently vile actions. Being a group of almost entirely Atheists, Agnostics, Pagans, Taoists, and other non-Christians, the shout is an obvious satirical dig at all things Dogmatic and generally stupid about the organized faiths of the world: "I claim that last slice of pizza, God Wills It!" "I don't want to write that essay today, God Wills It!" Yet, somehow, our satire is not all that far from what you describe in Costa Rica amongst the general populace. It really makes you stop and think about how much a religion can make you stop thinking. God wills it...
Christianity can be depressing!
I remember when church magazine announcements...like 'there will be a bring and buy in the church hall on Thursday' would routinely terminate in 'D.V.' - God willing!
In the U.K. there is an air force display team called the Red Arrows...spectacular stuff...and there is an urban legend that tells of a church fete announcement that listed all the attractions, including a fly past by the Red Arrows, concluding
'if wet, in church hall'.....well, D.V. to that!
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