There are some things in life that cannot be bought. The normal list includes a beautiful sunset, the love of a child, and the trust of a friend. The thing one often concludes is when things cannot be bought there is no debt that exists with either party. I do not believe this is true. Debts exist, regardless of contracts or relationships. All legal obligations may have been fulfilled yet something remains. I don’t know the exact term to describe what is left but it comes down to the priceless value inherent in relationships.
I wonder if I have paid the debts that I owe so many from my youth. Financial obligations were paid on a cash basis but there were certain things without a price tag. How much is it worth to get a high paying summer job? What price tag can be put on a situation where an adult places blatant, raw, and transparent trust in your choices and decisions? Is it possible to deal with the forgiveness, quick and unconditional in a situation where you have carelessly damaged a friend’s precious material object?
Each situation, and there were many more, created a debt that I can never repay. Their gift to me was compassion, mercy, love, acceptance, and trust. My ability to move into the future was positively changed for the better as a direct result of their choices and decisions. There was so much pain, so much angst, and an incredible about of morning after reflection buried in my reckless youth. I am not sure I have left enough of this behind decades later. The only repayment I know of is giving away to others what I have been given.
I owe God everything, my life, soul, and breath. The awesome beauty that continues to gift my life in the middle of reality stuns. What I can give God is simply my life. And to this God simply promises eternity. “I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work.” (Revelation 22.12)
Debts aren’t all bad.
