I’ve been awake since about 2:30 this morning and finally decided that I was sort of fooling myself about actually sleeping and got up about 4:00. I always remember my parents telling me growing up that there was a difference between awake and up. Ok dad I finally get it. Happy Father’s Day! Anyway, I’d like to say I’m not tired but I am and I know Jenna and Alyssa are in the same boat. All three of us have not been able to sleep at all. Yesterday was the most tired I’ve ever been. There were times yesterday afternoon I could not open my eyes no matter how hard I tried. Thank God, for Khmer iced coffee. So if you could pray for us that’d be awesome. Gotta to have sleep and gotta have water.
Yesterday was much less intense and we spent the entire day with our kids. We started our time with them at the Central Market and gave them each $10 to go spend however they’d like. It’s so fun to see what each one does. You have the ones who search for that big ticket item and use all their money on that. Others try to buy as many items as possible. Some spend all, others spend some. Shoes, sandals, and clothes seemed to be the most popular. But then there’s one that I observed as I followed him and a few of the others around the market. At the end of the time I noticed he wasn’t carrying any bags and “I asked him what did you get?” He leaned over and picked up a drink carrier with some food and 4 drinks. He wasn’t just walking the younger boys around and bartering for them but he was also feeding them making sure they would always remember that day at the market. That would make the wearing of their new shoes that much more special. It’s important to know that going to the market isn’t like it is for us, yet alone having money to buy whatever they want. The market alone is a big deal and in this special moment He choose others over himself. I’m going to have a hard time forgetting that unselfishness. Confession – I have a tendency to use people to get what I want despite what they need. That’s a good sign your heart isnt’ in the right place when you choose your wants over someone else’s needs. Too often I view people as a means to an end as opposed to a creation or a beautiful masterpiece of our Lord. I see what I can get versus what I can give and sometimes I give so I can receive. The gift with strings attached. I see potential results of interaction with people versus staying in the moment with them and allowing the Spirit to guide me. I pray I would trade my last $10 for some drinks, a snack and an opportunity serve. By the way, he also shared his drink. I’m not sure how far I’d go.
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:6-11
