Circumstances Beyond Our Control

"Though my father and my mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me" (Psalm 27:10).

The first indelible memory I have is the day of my 5th birthday. My mother had come to take me "home." I was passing out birthday cake to my little friends at the orphanage, and I was weeping. Even at that young age I knew I was safe there. It was a Catholic orphanage, and they must have done a wonderful job, because I did not want to leave them. To this very much later date, I wince when I hear criticism of the church, and especially of nuns, for they saved my life. Although I am not a Catholic now, I have the highest respect for those who offer their lives to noble causes.

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When our oldest son committed suicide I decided I would like to know who my real father was (my mother was long dead, a possible suicide). The man who was my biological father had forsaken my unmarried and dysfunctional mother. Perhaps there would be a clue to my son's despondency to the point of self-destruction if I could understand the dynamics of this unusual couple. I joined a group that searches for relatives. As I listened month after month to stories of fruitless calls and trips, and the thousands of dollars and many years wasted, I knew then that I didn't need to know who my father was, for I knew who my Father was, is, and always will be, and that was all I needed to know.

Psalm 27 has been very dear to me over the years. Another verse that helped was Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew (chose) you, before you were born I set you apart ..." Just think of the sorrows and indecisions that could be surmounted if we all believed we are chosen! That means that our Father thinks we are special, and it's all right for us to act like we are special, if God gets the glory and thanksgiving.

I think the faith that God knows best and has ordained to us the external circumstances of our life helps us deal with the unexpected and shocking in life. No one is excused from the fire that molds character. The child does not know what is ahead but all the opportunities and duties which result from these circumstances are made for us, not by us. They give us a mission from God Himself, if we can but view it thus.

Circumstances Beyond Our Control

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Another Angle on India: Beyond the Golden Triangle

Here from the rooftops, a wave of indigo painted houses light up with a glitter of electric lamps as dusk falls. In the soft balmy evening, you can hear the chatter of children running through the narrow back lanes and the beeps and squeaks of passing tuk tuk drivers. And everywhere you turn: a sea of sugar cube houses in a rich parched blue. Jodhpur, I soon realised, is a city best enjoyed from its rooftops.

And what fine rooftops they are. Deep in the princely state of Rajasthan, where dry and dusty desert gives way to regal fort towns, Jodhpur is also known for its havelis, the exquisitely painted domed houses of the gentry, which serve as an enticing reminder of Rajasthan's rich cultural heritage.

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I had been travelling through the north of India trying to discover all the alternative sights the great and diverse Subcontinent had to offer. Stopping at dry desert towns, majestic forts and castles and deserted cities, I was surprised by how few other travellers I saw.

People who go off on India holidays see it as a rite of passage to see the Taj Mahal, skirt through the chaotic bazaars and streets of Old Dehli and stop by the pinky palaces and temples of Jaipur. It's not called the Golden Triangle for nothing. But there's more to India holidays than meets the sweeping eye. I was on a mission to see another side of India and found it all around in North India. Here are just a few of wonderful deviations and side steps you can take:

Ranthambore National Park

Adventure holidays begin here. With miles upon miles of verdant grassland, Ranthambore is possibly India's greatest national park. A breath of fresh air from the cramped cities, the real reason for coming here is the chance to spot a rare beast, the Bengal tiger. The best way to try and spot these elusive creatures is on safari and nothing beats the rush of spotting these magnificent creatures in the wild.

Udaipur

A wonderful watery place, it's hard not to feel relaxed in Udaipur. The white houses with their pretty domed rooms perch at a high advantage, overlooking the tranquil lakes that have earned this city the title of Venice of the East.

Pushkar Camel Fair

A spiritual desert village most of the year, come November Pushkar springs to life when thousands of traders, buyers, sellers and pilgrims arrive to do business, pray and enjoy the atmosphere and festivities of the camel fair.

Another Angle on India: Beyond the Golden Triangle

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