Nothing in Life is Ordained

Ordained

by Rev. Dr. Lynn Ungar 

Nothing in life is ordained, nothing.
An acorn contains the exact plan for an oak,
but earth and wind and water have a say
in how the tree will grow, or fail to thrive.
You can set off down the road to Graceland
and end up in Dollywood instead.
You might be set to spend your life
talking to people about sex,
and find yourself dealing in God.
It happens.
You do not ordain yourself,
nor does the past,
nor the fates,
nor some omnipotent deity.
If your life is to be ordained,
it is by the sum of the parts,
the gathered force of love nudging you
irresistibly toward the next step.