Borrowed
Borrowed
To obtain or receive something on loan with the promise or understanding of returning it or its equivalent.
I have just recently, as in this exact moment, developed an understanding of "borrowed". Up until this moment I had decided that I hated the word. Realize that the hatred stemmed from a specific incident but ended up extending beyond the original borders.
My grandfather is very sick. So sick in fact that the doctors have told him he is already living off of "borrowed" time. My initial reaction to that commonly used term was frustration. I quickly became so angry. God doesn't "lend" out time, there's no pay-back required and the beats of my grandpa's heart have been blessing and miracles... nothing borrowed there... right?
As I wrote the definition down I realized that perhaps I was very wrong. We have received this life of ours and a promise should be made, spoken or unspoken, about returning it - giving our gift right back to the Giver. "Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ!" (Romans 1:2). You and I are living off of "borrowed" time just as much as my Opa is. There are no guarantees when our last breaths will be taken, but we have already been called to give it back, trusting every aspect of our lives in His hands.
What a fresh perspective - borrowed. Also, what a treasure it is to have the answers before the questions are even asked.
"When a book has been borrowed of me and is not returned, and I have forgotten the borrower; and fret over the missing volume, ... is it not time that I lost a few things, when I care for them so unreasonably? This losing of things is the mercy of God: it comes to teach us to let them go. Or have I forgotten a thought that came to me, which seemed of the truth? I keep trying and trying to call it back, feeling a poor man until that thought be recovered -- to be far more lost, perhaps, in a notebook into which I shall never look again to find it! I forget that it is live things that God cares about.."
- George Macdonald
To obtain or receive something on loan with the promise or understanding of returning it or its equivalent.
I have just recently, as in this exact moment, developed an understanding of "borrowed". Up until this moment I had decided that I hated the word. Realize that the hatred stemmed from a specific incident but ended up extending beyond the original borders.
My grandfather is very sick. So sick in fact that the doctors have told him he is already living off of "borrowed" time. My initial reaction to that commonly used term was frustration. I quickly became so angry. God doesn't "lend" out time, there's no pay-back required and the beats of my grandpa's heart have been blessing and miracles... nothing borrowed there... right?
As I wrote the definition down I realized that perhaps I was very wrong. We have received this life of ours and a promise should be made, spoken or unspoken, about returning it - giving our gift right back to the Giver. "Through him we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus. You are who you are through this gift and call of Jesus Christ!" (Romans 1:2). You and I are living off of "borrowed" time just as much as my Opa is. There are no guarantees when our last breaths will be taken, but we have already been called to give it back, trusting every aspect of our lives in His hands.
What a fresh perspective - borrowed. Also, what a treasure it is to have the answers before the questions are even asked.
"When a book has been borrowed of me and is not returned, and I have forgotten the borrower; and fret over the missing volume, ... is it not time that I lost a few things, when I care for them so unreasonably? This losing of things is the mercy of God: it comes to teach us to let them go. Or have I forgotten a thought that came to me, which seemed of the truth? I keep trying and trying to call it back, feeling a poor man until that thought be recovered -- to be far more lost, perhaps, in a notebook into which I shall never look again to find it! I forget that it is live things that God cares about.."
- George Macdonald
posted by Karyn at 11:32 PM
2 Comments:
Karyn, I was reading your blog tonight. I confess - I have been reading your blog off and on for the past several months! tee hee hee. But I am sad to hear that your grandfather only has a limited amount of time left. Life is so precious. I will keep your family in my prayers.
I don't have your email so I thought I would ask you via blog: Are you looking for a room mate? I am moving to Winnipeg. I won't be offended if you say "no, I'm not", for whatever reason. You may have had traumatic experiences with room mates. I understand. You can contact me via email at cbowman@cpc-paoc.edu That is the address I use for work. I have a real address that's a personal one, but I don't want to post it here! I can give it to you if you like. Please let me know.
Be blessed!
And yes, YC was fun! A blessing.
Karen!!
It's so true how our time is borrowed, that was kind of a little shock for me right there... I mean.. isn't it MY time? MY life? MY decisions?! Sure.. if I want to make it that way.. but do I want Christ to own me or for me to own myself? I'll take the Christ route.. I'm not so good at taking care of myself so much.. and really, I'll take it a small step further... since He gave me His life with no charge, it only seems right to do the same.
I hope the time your grandpa has here on earth is enjoyable for him and the family. Most of all, I pray that God's glory is shown to him through you and others, especially if he does not know it.
Nicole
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