Coincidence or calling?

Have you seen the movie Fools Rush In? It’s about opposites attract, going with your gut and making two worlds work together. Isabel (played by Selma Hayek) firmly believes God sends us signs to show us what we’re supposed to do. After only knowing him for two days, she marries Alex (played by Matthew Perry). Alex doesn’t believe in signs and, when the honeymoon wears off and work starts stressing him, decides their marriage was a mistake. He moves from her home in Vegas back to Manhattan. But when he gets there everything reminds him of her and the life they had started together. Marquees, bus logos, strangers walking their dogs, a priest on the sidewalk — he even runs into a little girl at the heliport named Isabel.

Lately time seems to be connected by themes. For a week or a month or however long, I will continually run into reminders of the theme, whatever that may be for that period of time.

Last month, for example, every day something would point me toward adoption or under-priviledged kids. I saw ads in magazines and pamphlets in stores. The same billboards I pass everyday typically advertising jewelry or some degenerate movie were suddenly seeking foster parents. While waiting in line for the zoo train I overheard an entire conversation about how orphans misdiagnosed with learning diabilities are locked in state facilities with no prospects of adoption. I ran into an old friend awaiting the arrival of their son adopted from India. Even the novel I was reading talked about caring for forgotten children.

So my question is this: are these signs that I need to be following? I know, I know getting doctrine from a movie is not the brightest idea. I’m just saying that the frequency and relentless nature of these encounters makes me think of that part of the movie. And it makes me wonder if I’m missing something.

So what do you think? When time has a theme is it coincidence or calling? Is it a window of opportunity shut when you refuse to open it? Or is it a subconscious discovery? Are those things always there just never noticed before?