Monday morning came early, but I was well prepared for my first work trip of 2026. My bags were packed, left in plenty of time to find my parking lot and take the train to the terminal. Security lines were miniscule as I made my way to the check-point. The smiling gentlemen in front of the metal detector looked at me and motioned, “Ma’am, your belt please.”

“I’m so sorry,” I replied. “First trip of the new year. I guess I’m a little rusty.” He was courteous and noted it wasn’t a big deal as I handed it to him so I could walk through the metal detector. After I walked through, I turned to find him examining my buckle.  “Wow, this is a real cowgirl. This buckle means something.” He showed it to a couple of other security workers and made sure I knew how much he noticed it.

I thanked him, kindly. As I put my belt back on, I thought back to when the buckle was given to me. The last week I spent in O’Neill at the Wakefield’s, we had our own “jackpot.” I was the only one entered, but it was “high-stakes,” as Riley announced, just like we were at a big roping. The goal was to rope four steers in a row, something I had not done yet. The last time I attempted the task, it mentally broke me and I left the arena defeated.

This time was different. I had been reading a book recommended to me by Jim Wakefield, focusing on the mental game. I’ve referenced this book before in previous posts, but this was my first opportunity with pressure to put it into practice. That day, as I walked to bring up the steers I said out-loud to myself, “Wouldn’t it be something if I roped all four steers my last day at Wakefields? Huh, that would be something.” I smiled and the warm December Nebraska sun shone upon my face. I was ready.

Riley picked each steer for me. He gave me the opportunity to choose and I told him, “I wouldn’t get to pick at a roping. Dealer’s choice.” He picked several I’ve never ran before and others I had missed, but I was on this time. First steer, caught. Second steer, had to be patient, and roped him. Third steer, I was a little out of my seat, and necked him, but still a legal head catch. The last steer I said to myself, find the right horn and sit up tall. Riley announced this steer was worth $25,000 and I’m high call!

I heard what he said and breathed out the pressure. I’ve roped this steer before, mentally, and I know what my job is. I can do this. As the faster steer left the box, I sat up and got to my spot, took a swing over his back, and caught before we were ¾ down the arena. I roped all four steers. I took a victory lap, hat in hand waving to the audience of Jenna and Riley, and the pretend audience we had created in the set up.

Later that day, Jim drove up to my trailer. He had heard the news that I won the jackpot. There’s certain people that when you hear, “I’m proud of you” means a lot more, and he’s one of them. As he reached into the center console, he presented me with two buckles:  one was the first one he ever won and the last one he was awarded for a 3-event rope, golf and shooting tournament. I picked the 2002 3-event buckle, on loan, until I won my own. That buckle might as well had my name on it and a $25,000 check with it. I was on top of the world.

After I had the exchange with the Sky Harbor security guard, I had to text Jim. I told him his buckle received quite the attention and I was thankful he had let me borrow it. His text response stopped me in my tracks: Earned, not borrowed.

I paused with that, letting it sink in while waiting at my gate. Earned, not borrowed. What else in my life have I been treating like it was borrowed? The revelation in those three small words went straight to my spirit. The story of Abraham I read earlier this month came to mind.

When Abraham was called, and God changed his name from Abram to Abraham, that wasn’t borrowed. It was solidified in covenant and faith Abraham had to follow God’s plan wherever He asked him to go. God didn’t tell him, “Borrow this name.” It was HIS name.

“Abraham believed in God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness” Gen 15:6

Sometimes I think we can slip into a “borrowed faith” mentality. When we have moments of great faith, we can be tempted to shrink back and think this was the one-time God moved on our behalf. No! Faith is ours, but we have to choose to pick up faith every single day. Faith is so important to God, He counted it to Abraham as righteousness. But this righteousness isn’t earned, it is by grace.

For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgement and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; Ephesians 2:8

Our own effort will not get us God’s favor. Faith unlocks the door to our calling, which has many doors to walk through. You have the key: Faith. Every door He asks you to walk through must be unlocked with faith. Faith is a gift, also not earned, but the tasks we walk through build it that we can take hold of it. The key of faith is always in your possession. But you must use it.

Although there is much in this life borrowed, faith doesn’t have to be. It can be yours, each and every day, as long as you remember to use it. Life will stretch it, but that’s what makes it so miraculous. I think it is no coincidence the belt of truth fastens on the breastplate of righteousness. Whoever is working security at the pearly gates of heaven, I pray marvels at the belt buckle of faith the Lord crafted for me. And that gift, my friends, isn’t borrowed. It’s yours.