My mom used to listen to Rush Limbaugh quite regularly when I was growing up. And, my sister and I were often a captive audience, as we rode in the car, or cleaned house while his program was on. He used to start out his segments (and, I don’t know, maybe he still does) by describing himself as having “talent on loan from God.â€Â Sometimes, I wonder if he knew just how accurate that statement was. Not necessarily as a commentary on his talent, simply the statement itself. The recognition that whatever talent or gifts that he – or anyone – has truly are on loan from God.
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All we have has been given to us by God. But, in the giving, ownership has not been transferred. Our words, our homes, our children, our time, our possessions – are all given to us from the hand of God. But, these things do not, in actuality, belong to us. They are, as it were, on loan – from God. We are simply stewards, charged with caring for His possessions until the time comes for us to offer them back to Him as an act of sacrificial worship.Â
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Samuel was the much-longed for answer to Hannah’s prayers. And, yet from the moment he was born – perhaps the moment he was conceived – she understood something most of us miss. Samuel was not hers. He belonged to God. She was simply the steward, the caretaker of God’s precious child. And, in obedience to the vow she had made, she willingly gave Samuel back to his rightful owner. Like Samuel, our children are not really ours.
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“She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life….And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, ‘I have asked for him from the Lord…  For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.’†~1 Samuel 1:10; 20; 27-28 (ESV)
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When you borrow a book from a library, typically on the front or back cover, and often on a page in the middle of the book, is stamped the name of the library. This inscription helps to ensure that the book will be returned to its rightful owner, and not added into to your personal collection.Â
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In the same way, our children bear an inscription declaring their rightful owner…and the name on that inscription is not mine. It is not my husband’s.Â
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It is God’s. She is God’s. She is not mine.
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We, as parents, are only stewards. And, someday, how we handle that responsibility of stewardship will be called into account.
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When we look at our children, we need to see them, not only for who they are, but for whose they are. They are only on loan to us.
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The magnitude of that truth should not be lost on any of us. It should shape every single choice and decision we make – in parenting, in discipleship, in education, in discipline….
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To whom do your children belong? Do you need to reevaluate certain choices, or areas of your life, in light of the truth that your children are not yours, but are, in fact, “on loan from God�
Agreed! I am so grateful for this profound truth. Without it I would be so embarrassed, even ashamed to wake up every day and have nothing to give my Father. And yet He has designed everything as grace. Grace indeed. I feel a mix of emotion – relief, joy, undeserved privilege and honor – to be able to simply give back what He’s given me. Everything. I guess with God regifting is just what He asked for! And that’s what our call to be a living sacrifice is all about. (Romans 12) It’s not to our detriment, but rather in our very best interest to acknowledge all is God’s and I am His. Redeem the days!
Great post! The older my kids get, the more I realize that my time with them here at home goes so quickly! Really! It does! May I remember I raise them to let them go and may I number my days and make them count for the kingdom!
“We, as parents, are only stewards. And, someday, how we handle that responsibility of stewardship will be called into account.
If I could only fully grasp that and remember it in every circumstance, I would be a much better mom!
@Marci~That is my prayer each day…often, each moment! 🙂 That I would fully grasp, and remember the enormity of that truth…I’m sure I would be a better mommy for it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Agreed wholeheartedly. I supposed I have a bit of a morbid streak, having lost my dad suddenly at a pretty young age, so I think once in awhile about what it would be like to lose one of my children. I know a lot of mother’s who dwell on this, and it causes tremendous anxiety and fear. When I think about it, I know it would grieve me, but I am consistently reminded that they do not belong to me. They are not mine, for someone to steal away from me prematurely. They are His, and he has His timing and is completely sovereign. It brings great comfort.
@MainlineMom ~ That is definitely something I try not to dwell on… But, what a comfort to know that, because their lives are in God’s hands, nothing and/or no one can take them prematurely. Something I struggle to remember, but desire to rest in. 🙂
Hi Veronica, I am visiting from Gather Inspirit. And I must say your blog is a perfect example of why GI was started-so Christian bloggers can find each other. There are so many blogs that have such talented writers that speak the TRUTH through the Word of God! I am so glad you joined in the blog fun today!
@Cherie ~ Thanks for stopping by, and for your sweet words! I am so thankful for a place like Gather Inspirit where I can find and connect with other likeminded women! It is a blessing! 🙂
I’m your newest follower from Gather Inspirit. I love your post! What a great phrase – “talent on loan from God.†And your comment about our children being on loan from God is so true. Our daughter was guided to move to England, which was extremely difficult for us as a homeschooling family that’s always been very close. But she’s influenced so many people in a positive way and found experiences (and her British husband) that she never could have without God calling her to England.
Beautiful post… thank you so much for sharing with Gather Inspirit. I love the thought “on loan from God” I’m going to try and remember that in all I do!