Same Same But Different

Pathway into the community and M's house

It was the same living room where I sat cross-legged five and a half years ago.  The same pictures hanging on the walls, the same plastic covering the floor, the same tin roof overhead. 

The hearts in the home however, where different.  Radically different.
 
"How have you seen your family change since they began following Christ?"  A new friend from Korea/America asked M.

M thought for a moment, smiled, and began to explain.  The change started with her mom.  Mom used to be a hot-tempered woman.  Everyone in the community knew it.    She also collected idols.  The home was filled with idols, from the top of the rafters to the low spiderwebbed corners. 

When some new faces in the community began to speak of a God who doesn't require constant merit-making, Mom was willing to listen. 

God started working on her heart immediately, and she was the first to believe.  The transformation was radical.  Mom threw out all of her idols.  She showed more love, was softer, and began to go to church.

Enjoying dinner in the living room with M's family in 2008.

Over the next few months and years, others who shared the space under their metal roof began to follow Jesus too.  First her sister, then her daughter, cousin and husband.  Neighbors could see a difference and some also came to know Christ and began going to church.

Come to think of it, the pictures on the walls are different now.  In addition to the smiles from the past, new photos line the walls.  They are pictures of M's extended family, those from all over the world who have shared a meal, Bible study, or words of encouragement in her home. 

The Thai saying, "Same same but different," comes to mind. 
Same physical person, same physical place but entirely different heart.