YOUR LIFE -- IT'S ON LOAN!

I like to take long walks in the cemetery. I've noticed something
about the hundreds of people beneath the cemetery ground. None of
them kept their bodies! They each were given a body to use -- some
for a short time and some for many years. But they all gave those
bodies up.

And that is true with their things, too. They came into the world
with nothing and they left the things of this world behind.
Everything. Their bodies; their money; their responsibilities; their
families; and, all of their things!

An old story tells of a grandmother and her grandson walking the
beach. The little boy spotted a dead pelican in the sand. "What
happened to that bird?" he asked.

"That pelican died and went to heaven to be with God," explained his
grandmother, in hopes of soothing the child.

Still puzzled, he asked, "Well, why did God throw him back?"

I rented a car recently. The rental papers indicated that the car
was "dented all over." I looked closely and, sure enough, it was
covered with little, round dents! Every door, the hood, the roof and
the trunk were affected. The car looked as if it had been caught in a
severe hail storm.

The damage was only visible upon close inspection, so it didn't
particularly bother me that it was dented. I drove the vehicle for a
few days and returned it to the rental agency. It wasn't my car. I
knew I couldn't keep it if I wanted to.

Our bodies are like loaner vehicles. They are ours to use, but not
ours to keep. We must care for them and maintain them, for the better
shape they are in, the longer we may borrow them. But we will someday
turn them back in. We were fortunate enough to be given bodies to use
for a while, but sometime they will become sick, damaged or simply
worn out, and we will need to return them.

This simple concept is one of the most transforming, comforting and
freeing truths I have come to know. I have been given the
extraordinary gift of a body to use for a season, and a few things of
this world to enjoy for a time. But NONE of these are mine to keep.
Therefore, I will guard against becoming too attached, for I know I
must give it all up someday.

I can live freed from unnecessary worry about myself. It's all on
loan. Mine to use well and enjoy for a time. And then, when I return
it all, I will give it back in gratitude and joy, thankful that I
even got to use it at all!
__________

Steve Goodier Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com is a professional
speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for
more information, or to sign up for his FREE newsletter of Life, Love
and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com .