Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34
I have a borrowing problem.
It’s not that I won’t do it. On the contrary. I’m typically eager to share with someone in need.
The problem comes when something is borrowed but when time comes to ask for the something to be returned, I’m met with a shrug of indifference because they either can’t remember borrowing it or they’ve misplaced it.
Maybe even loaned it to another.
A borrowing problem.
When a certain something in the house goes missing because someone borrowed without asking, that’s a borrowing problem.
When I reach for a particular item in a particular drawer or cabinet or closet (say, mine) I expect to find it there. When it’s not, I get edgy.
Cell phone chargers, scissors, nail polish remover, cell phone chargers, dishware, COFFEE MUGS, cell phone chargers, and clothing (my clothing), to name a few in a long list.
Oh, and cell phone chargers.
I’m a huge fan of the phrase:
“A place for everything and everything in its place. I always put my things away so I might find them another day.”
(According to The Oxford Book of Quotations that the familiar phrase has been in existence since the 17th Century, Theidioms.com)
Years back, I made my kids memorize this wise little saying. To no avail.
Some things that were borrowed never resurfaced.
I suspect several of my Tupperware bowls are buried deep beneath several layers of sand at our neighbor’s backyard playground.
That’s a problem.
But I have a bigger borrowing problem. The one where I borrow trouble from tomorrow–pile it on the day called “today”–knowing full well God has already said, “Uh uh. Don’t.”
Tomorrow is neither empty nor idle. It’s quite busy working up a fuss of worry for the following day.
Each day has enough trouble of its own. (vs 34b)
By borrowing trouble and worry and anxiety from tomorrow I only heap more on top of what God has ordained for me within the course of today.
Today. Is. Enough. Amen?
Out of respect for today, I’ve got to stop borrowing trouble from tomorrow.
There’s no reassurance I’ll even have a tomorrow, so why take what isn’t mine? If God chooses to gift me with a new day, todays’ trouble will have been left behind in a place called yesterday.
With yesterday shrinking in my rearview mirror, I’m far better equipped to handle the trouble awaiting me…today.
What are some of your “borrowing trouble” stories? I’d love to hear from you!
❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁
✏️If you’d like to receive these story-style devos each week and my quarterly newsletter, scroll down to the bottom 👇or take a look to the right👉 to subscribe by email.