Take the time to 'smell the durian'

(Disclaimer..this is me preaching to myself! Not to anyone else, trust me!  I always have to stay busy, have a million things to do, people to see, a full schedule, lists, a plan, work 50 hours a week, etc.  I am DONE .)

• Because today is always better than yesterday. 
• Because, although there is assuredly some corruption involved (because there always is when you have people running a country, especially people surrounded by hunger and poverty!), the masterminds of a terrible genocide and destruction of a country are FINALLY (after 40 years) going to be brought to justice.  
• Because someday when you are looking back at that little drop in the ocean (of your life as it is now), the things that are going to matter are the little moments, the simple gestures, the tears of joy, the smells that shock you, the images that break your heart over and over again, the tastes that you will never forget, and the smiles that stay with you all day long.
• Because my Khmer friend can attend university (she graduates this year with a degree in Banking and Finance), have a decent job, a place to live, and a smile...despite the fact that her father, as a full time teacher made 20,000 riel ($5) a month (and still managed to send his kids from their home in the countryside to Phnom Penh where there is University and so much more opportunity).
• Because 'there is hope that everyone who's lost will be coming home and everyone that's hurting will be whole again and love will be the last thing standing.'
• Because in a place where the GDP per capita is $783 (according to the US Dept of State, btw ours is $48,000), every person has a smile to flash, a hand to lend, and rice to share.  
• Because you were not created to feel hurt, you were not created to feel anger, you were not created to feel bitterness, you were not created to feel pain; You were created to love, you were created to give, you were created to serve, you were created to seek truth and peace and justice, and in doing all these things you do what you were created to do: Glorify Him.
• Because tomorrow you might not have the opportunity.
• Because you DO have time. It doesn't matter what deadline is looming, what engagement you cannot miss, what silly television show you can't live without, who is waiting for you at the office, or what improvements need to be made on your home or your vehicle. What matters is today, who do you choose to serve?  Do you have time for 'the least of these?' Do you choose to take the time to follow the first and greatest commandment? Because if you follow this, you automatically follow the second commandment. You automatically practice the pure religion that James spoke of, other thoughts...Deuteronomy 15:7 If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks. Jeremiah 22:3 Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place. Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys. Is. 58:10 And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Luke 14:12-14 When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and repayment come to you. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.Matthew 25:35-40 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Yes, we all know these verses, and it is easy to forget them or to pretend that they are not literal. But since poverty is mentioned over 2,000 times in God's word, I do not see how we can disregard it. I will stop for now :)
• Because it might take some getting used to, but eventually you might find the smell is better than a room rull of roses.

And if you don't know what that(durian) is...time for a visit :)

Just want to say hey!  And let you know that Cambodia is everything I remembered and more.

All my love...