It took all of seventeen minutes for me to know, Cambodia will break my heart.
11:43am, 1st November 2013, my heart knew-the way only hearts do.
Perhaps, it's all of myself I see reflected in the Cambodian landscape.
Or rather, all that I want to see in myself.
Flood season.
Anticipated annually, respected culturally.
Each year, storms cause the Mekong River to flood the central lands of Cambodia. These flood waters deposit much needed silt for rich agricultural soil. ((Sixth grade history anyone? Nile river copy-cat.)) Livelihood depends on these storms. Village culture is built around the water. Houses are built with the season in mind… raised and, in a worse case scenario, rebuildable.
I want to live respecting the storms.
I want to live rejoicing through the storms.
Because I know, they are unavoidable.
Because I know, they bring good soil.
Because I know, all that I've gained is temporary.
Because I know, they end.
On this side of Heaven, my life's storms seem devastating. The struggle is real. The hurts are painful. At times, it can seem as though all progress has been lost.
Every single time they catch me off guard!
Every.single.time.
But, by His grace, I am learning.
Learning to live gracefully through the storms.
Learning from Cambodia.
To build my house a little higher.
Raising myself up on the Word alone. Reading and studying to become a fortress prepared, not to be shaken in times of turmoil. Hiding in my heart a refuge of His promises.
When the waters come, wait.
Captivating my thoughts on Him alone. Opening my mouth only when it brings praise back to Him. A sore heart begins to heal one boast about Him at a time.
In the wait.
That's when the peace comes.
The promise it won't always be like this. Comfort from The Rescuer who tucks you under His wing and guards your fragile heart.
When the water recedes, that's the good stuff.
One day the waters will recede. All that will be left is rich experience.
A reminder of the storm in the most beautiful way.
From this soil comes new life, new growth. From this soil, I can love fully and serve selflessly. This soil brings empathy and common ground.
Cambodia is teaching me to live a life of Psalms.
PSALM 34.1
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
All times.
In the storm times, and in the flood times, and in the growing seasons and the stretching seasons. In the seasons of rest, and the seasons of prosperity, and the seasons of unnamable pain.
Continually I will seek Him.
Continually I shall praise Him.
And when I don't have the words of my own I will use David's.
