In Asia you see this phrase and hear this phrase almost as often as you hear yes and no. Same same but different. In Siem Reap, Cambodia I even saw a café called Same Same But Different Café. Their motto? Same same but better. Dang, those are some smart people running that place!
We often joke about it. OMG! That ice cream looks soooo good! Is it like America?! Eh, same same but different. This could mean a variety of things but I would render it to say that it’s ice cream but there is something a little…off. When you’re learning new languages left and right, sometimes you say the wrong thing. This is also a good place to say what you meant, same same but different. It’s fun and has a multitude of reasonable uses.
The other day I was just thinking about that phrase a little deeper. I had reached out to a few friends at home recently and I was reflecting on my friends here on the race. I just wanted to share how it’s so cool that my friends and I are all the same same but different. Same same in we believe the same thing and it’s the glue that holds our relationships together. Whether we believe in Jesus or finishing our senior project to graduate, we have something in common. But I am not exactly like any of my friends. I used to find this a little alarming. But I’ve learned that it’s really quite a hidden gift.
Being friends or in a relationship with someone can be challenging at times. Sometimes I will just sit and wish that the other person was more like me and saw it my way. But in pondering the idea that I’m the same same but different from my friends, I’ve learned how deprived I’d be if I was in fact the same as the people I’m around. I’d remain the same. As Po’s master in Kung Fu Panda says, “If you only ever do what you do, you’ll only ever be who you are!” Let that sink in. Yeah, so what, I pulled something from an animated movie, get at me. But really. If I didn’t have a variety of friends who bring different things in my life, I’d never change or grow. I’m always striving to be the best that I can. Not to say that God looks at me and thinks I’m not enough for Him. He meets me where I’m at with welcome arms, actually. But I desire to be more and more like Jesus; someone who humbly walks in obedience to the Father loving everyone in sight with a love that leaves a lasting impact to all who encounter it.
All this to say, man do I love my friends. I love the challenges they bring. I love the spontaneity that they push me towards. I love the sincere thoughtfulness that they pour out. I love that they love the Lord. I love the deep conversations had. I love that they call me higher. I love that they help me pick up the broken pieces in my life. I love that they have my back when I’m looking for a job. I love that when I need volunteers for a job that I know who to call. I love that my friends share their families with me (I believe I’ve been adopted into more families than I can count on two hands). I love that they are always down for a good laugh or a television show finale party (maybe asking Dominos to spell an “A” with pepperonis would be seen as too much to most, but not when you have friends that appreciate the effort, woot woot! #PLL). I love that they are willing to pick me up and take me to the airport. I love that they feel comfortable inviting me into their personal lives. I love that they care about my well-being and health. I love that they love me for who I am and embrace it, even when it is weird, cries when life gets crazy, needs grace and forgiveness and above all doesn’t always deserve it. I’m in a place of gratitude to say that for years now I have never been in a position where I didn’t have a friend to call in times of need, and that’s a pretty cool thing that I refuse to take for granted. For I know that all good things come from above (James 1:17).
I’m gonna take this a step further. God sees us as the same same but different too. Same same in that He loves us all equally and His faithfulness, sovereignty, love and grace remain the same same for all of time. What’s different then? His relationship with each of His children; us. It is absolutely unique to each individual. He knows how to love us well and how we will receive that love. He knows how to approach all of us in ways that we will best understand and learn from. That’s pretty cool, man. He is not scarce on love and grace and can cater it to who He’s created us to be. I adore that about our God. It is a personal relationship! For people who compare their walk with God to others, this is for you. Don’t. Don’t because God has you where you are because you are special to Him. He has marked out your own personalized race before you (Hebrews 12:1-2). It’s beautiful knowing that since God knows that we all experience Him differently that He goes the extra mile to reveal Himself to us in ways that will mean the most to us personally.
A special thank you to all of my friends near and far. Here’s a few pictures to capture moments and people I hold near and dear to my heart! Also please show grace, just because you aren’t in one, doesn’t mean you’re not my friend. I value and cherish all the people in my life, more people than a blog can do justice for!
UPDATE:
Things are good! I still love Malaysia and I will be sad to see this month come to a close at the end of the month. Be praying for the people we are building relationships with here in KL. Pray for health. Pray for endurance. Pray for love and grace towards each other and strangers. Pray for our safety. While we take precaution, there are still extremists who are in this city who hate America and Americans so we’re praying we don’t encounter them! Pray for the sex trafficking ministry, Redeeming Roses. They are doing some awesome things in the name of Jesus and it’s a pleasure to serve and learn from these women of God.
Thank you for your continued support and love!
Peace and blessings from Malaysia,
Brittany
