My Family Culture

Imagine “a major catastrophe has almost completely devastated the infrastructure of your country. The emergency government has decided that the surviving citizens will be best served if they are evacuated to other countries willing to take refugees. You and your immediate family are among the survivors of this catastrophic event. However, you have absolutely no input into the final destination or in any other evacuation details. You are told that your host country’s culture is completely different from your own, and that you might have to stay there permanently. You are further told that, in addition to one change of clothes, you can only take 3 small items with you. You decide to take three items that you hold dear and that represent your family culture” (Laureate, 2011).

What if this actually happened to you? What would you bring? How would you explain to those among you the significance of what you chose? What if you only could keep one of those items? These are probably some of the questions that resonate in our minds as we read the senecio above.

God forbid, I went through this experience, three things that I would think to bring with me would be a photo of my family, my Bible, and my sewing machine; in that order. After much thought and as I contemplate on the items I chose – to some it may be something small but to me, it’s significant.

THE FAMILY PHOTO: the reason I chose this item is to remind me of those that I love and those that love me. Having a reminder of that can keep hope, love, a spark of will alive. If there were not with me, knowing that they are safe and in God’s hands and protective care, is calming.

MY BIBLE: the reason for this item is because of my spiritual well-being. Spiritually, if situations and circumstances happen to get you down or put you in a “funk”, reading and mediating on God’s Word can bring you out of that dismal, gray area.

THE SEWING MACHINE: yup, an odd thing to want to bring with you. But sewing something not only calms me but reminds me of what my mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother use to do. It’s not a tradition, but it’s something that we all enjoy doing. In addition to this, it’s a great tool to use wherever my family and I are placed.

My thoughts on how I’d feel if I were told to chose one thing to keep out of the three? I’d choose the Bible. I’m not very materialistic; but if I couldn’t keep all three items, I’d choose the Bible. I’ve been very open to learning and adapting to embracing new cultures. One thing about me is, I’ve learned to assimilate to my surroundings. I know there are some things about me that are contrary to the norm about family culture, diversity, and cultural differences; but as I sit here and think about the things that I hold dear and near to my heart, culture could not define it.

All these things are important, yes. They may have shaped who you are today; but it doesn’t define you. As humans and professionals, we change daily. Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Resources:

Laureate Education (Producer), (2011). Perspectives on Diversity and Equity. Family Diversity and Culture: Dynamic Interactions. Baltimore, MD: Author. Retrieved from https://class.content.laureate.net/431104cc9355c57fa37670dbcc5c9354.html#section_container0