So, How Are You?

Often times, I think we claim to be a lot busier then we really are. God forbid we exert more effort during our daily grind of life. We get so consumed with what we are doing that, we forget about the simple things of life. For example, conversations, asking how some is doing, helping someone out.

Yesterday, I was reading for a class. I was trying to catch up on some reading. For the last couple of days I have been getting no sleep. So, I figure I read at school so I could go to sleep when I got home. However, while I was reading I was interrupted by a former classmate from South Korea. He sat down and proceed to talk in his broken english. He said hi.... he paused waiting for me to reply. In my mind I rolled my eyes and asked ... So,how are you?

He then basically talked to me for about a hour. I had lost my place in the book. I did not remember what I read,or what notes I jotted down. But Sung Sue was happy I listen to him, even though he had no idea I was sleepy and grumpy.

But the reality is I had time. I could have easily said " Hey man, I'm reading nice seeing you." Sure, there are times for that, those times are appropriate. But I was just reading, I was in no rush. The truth I just did not want to be bothered.

Sung Sue, left. I started my reading all over. But it hit me, I would want someone in my position to do the same thing. I thought of all the times people asked how my day was... or listen to me.

The principle is simple ask someone how they are doing. And you have made more of an impact then you can imagine. In many ways, its a lost art, it shows you care. That you are willing to take up some of your time. Let's face, we have down time. We are not that busy, we just claim to be.

So, how are you?

The Cost Of Honesty

I parked my car, grabbed my backpack and started to walk towards campus. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise, metal colliding against metal. A guy had swung his car door to hard and hit some one's car. The hit was minor, nothing to fuss about. However, the guy went to his dashboard pulled out a pen,notebook and started jotting down his information.

Honest, right? There are many scenarios that require honesty. The reality is a lot of times its easier not to be honest. No one was around the car that the guy scarped. He could have easily walked away. No one would have known. I bet the owner of the hit car would not even recognize the mark.

But this individual, took the liberty of making sure the owner had his contact information. Who knows what will come of it. But it cost something. Perhaps, nothing that will make the guy cringe, but he hit the car.

A lot of times we are put in a scenario where it is quite obvious that we need to be honest. Sometimes the cost is high or relatively low. Regardless, honesty is important. Honest does cost something: reputation, relationships, security, money etc.

Honesty is not about comfort or convenience. Its about, owning up to what you need to be honest about.

The question that lingers in my mind.

Will I be honest, even if it proves costly?

Scared and Excited

It appears that its only habitual to be scared and excited at the same. When we are confronted with something completely new. The only analogy I can come up with is a new boyfriend or girlfriend. You excited about the potential and what it brings like love, companionship, and a friend. However, there's the scared part... that it might blow up in your face. The unexpected elements that it brings like heartbreak, opening yourself up to a stranger, and the conflict that it produces.

In short, I am eluding to the mission field as a mate. You pour your tears, effort and time into a particular people group, country and try to assess the needs. Each situation provides different obstacles and challenges. In many ways, our time and experience is determined on how we respond. Adversity and conflict is inevitable no matter what we do.

My underline point is that we want something so bad it becomes reality. We can't help but have a whole host of emotions like being scared and excited at the same time.

As I received my letter which holds the country in which I have been picked for. Those emotions came into place. I smiled and opened it and was not surprised by the choice.

A simple stroke of the pen will commit me, to this country. I'm afraid, I have doubts... However, I have excitement of the potential and challenge it presents. This place is not my first choice, but God is pulling in a direction I never saw coming.

My mind has been spinning since. A decision must be made.

By faith....