My youngest daughter likes to borrow trouble. When I tuck her in at night she asks things like,
“Will it hurt when I have a baby?” or “How do you know what to do when you’re a grown up?”
A few nights ago she even made the stretch to grandchildren, asking,
“Mommy, who will my grandkids be? How will I know them?”
Heady stuff for a five year old. I usually give an age appropriate answer, and then I focus on something more immediate and say,
“Let’s just worry about what dress you’re going to wear tomorrow”.
I know where she comes by this trait, this propensity to borrow from tomorrow or next year or next decade. I like to borrow too. There are nights when I’m tucked into bed, keeping company with my own questions, and wanting answers.
When will we move again?
Will I be happy there?
What am I going to be when I grow up?
What’s the two year plan? The five year, the ten year?
There are times when I grow weary of my own troubles, so I look to steal someone else’s.
What are they going to do?
How will they manage?
When will they figure out their two year plan?
And the borrowing and stealing begins. I take what doesn’t belong to me, a burden I’m not called to carry, and I put it on and try to make it fit.
Sometimes I find myself trying to spiritualize it by praying:
Dear Lord,
I know I’ve been worrying for half an hour about something that hasn’t happened yet. I also know that you are sovereign, but I thought I would help you by coming up with every possible scenario and it’s likely solution. Now that I’ve reached a point where I can’t carry this anymore, I’m going to let you have a turn.
Amen
And His reply is usually,
“Let’s just worry about what dress you’re going to wear tomorrow.”
Sometimes there is an age appropriate answer, sometimes there’s no answer for the burden at all. But always, there is this…lets just think about tomorrow. Not next year, not next decade, not next move or child or major life decision. Only tomorrow. Because it is in tomorrow that I can choose to wear my burdens, or I can choose to clothe myself in His rest.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
By Kimberly Coyle at Find Time for Tea
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“this propensity to borrow from tomorrow”
I love this Kimberly! I’m right there with you and your daughter, and like you am learning to shorten my view, and lift my eyes from the what if’s to the face of the One who holds my tomorrows in His hand.
Thank you for this sweet bit of wisdom!
Shaunie
Man can I relate to that analogy. I love being able to picture God talking to us as daughters like we do to ours. This one will be one that sticks with me.
When you are in a not good position and have no money to get out from that point, you would require to take the loan. Just because that will help you emphatically. I get consolidation loans every year and feel myself OK just because of it.
One of my favorite sayings (mostly because it’s fun to say, but also because it’s true) is:
Don’t trouble Trouble until Trouble troubles you.
Might be a good one to teach your daughter since she can have fun saying it as well…
Great suggestion Lynette:) She would like that one!
It is so true…they are just like their mamas! Such a great post Kimberly! Thanks for pointing me to His perfect rest!
I love this verse in the Message: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
There is such an important balance to be struck between looking ahead and truly being in the moment. One of our daughters struggles mightily with always looking to the next thing. For her, at issue is her desire to avoid responsibilities now. Spending great blocks of time imagining future possibilities can feel to her like she is “being productive”, but when she is honest with herself she sees it for what it really is.
As usual, balance is the key. And it is found in Him.
Oh, Kimberly, I could so relate to this post. I can worry myself into quite the tizzy about anything and everything. Thank you for the reminder to trust instead and that there’s One who loves us who promises to take care of tomorrow and all that comes with it. Big sigh of relief. My heart feels like putting on a dress and doing twirl. 🙂 Thank you!
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Kimberly-
As I sit here waiting for a call from my doctor to know if the test results are bad or worse this message applies so much to me.
I’m doing my best just to wait and not to worry but as each hour passes I find I’m having a hard time just waiting. Sitting still and resting in Him to find out what will happen.
I can say thankfully that I have peace in all of it. that no matter how bad the news is it will all be ok.
Praying for you leannajoi….
Gosh, if this isn’t me to a T. I borrow from everywhere. It is ridiculous. I am so weary from it all and yet, I might lay it at His feet and then come back to reclaim it again. He has carried me through everything so far and yet, I question whether He will do so this time…
This is so true, and so comforting. And very well said.
Thank you for sharing.
Kimberly, I’m a fan… wherever you post. 🙂 Well written words. Love ya.
So beautifully written, and so true. Thank you for this… very timely for me.
I’m a “borrower,” too. What an interesting perspective on those of us who plan and then worry about those plans!
Great, great ending: “Because it is in tomorrow that I can choose to wear my burdens, or I can choose to clothe myself in His rest.” and the verse following it.
Thank you for this wonderful post!
I don’t think I do this… sometimes I’m too much the opposite.
which is it’s own kind of burden.
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