When you hear this word – enough – what comes to mind?
Two phrases arising in my heart in response to this word are being enough and doing enough. I know others may ponder having enough.
One word producing powerful gut reactions. “Enough” becomes a measuring stick of worthiness, competency, or contentment. This word often takes root in our worries, ego, and doubts.
The truth is with God we are enough, we do enough, and we have enough.
My head knows this truth but my heart still questions. When I think or hear myself use this word I am learning to pause and pay attention. Is this true or an old misbelief? Am using this word as an excuse or stick to beat myself up due to guilt, mistakes, or doubt? Being an Enneagram 3, I know shame and failure trigger me into a spiral of false and murky discouragement.
Enough can be enough – just the right amount at the right time. My expectations – usually based dreamy perfection – is that life should be fair and should all work out. I admit my faith waivers at times, but I do trust God that in the end, in his timing and in his manner, all will be enough.
“All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” Julian of Norwich
As I reread this post before publishing its words, I am fascinated how often I also wrote the word “all” in partnership with this idea. All is my word of the year and keeps teaching me at unexpected moments. Both words are quantifiers and perhaps the two words walk together more often than we realize. Both hold lessons for our souls.
What brought this word to mind this week is this poem attributed to author Bob Perks. May it bless you as it blessed me with its message:
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
What do you think of the word enough?
Funny, as I started reading, all I could think of was, ‘enough already’ because my mind often goes in that direction these days with all the moving parts we have to deal with and the weariness that’s come with covid, etc.
I long for simplicity and peace. I long for Jesus. So, thanks for taking us to Him today, friend. He is all we need.
And yes, ‘all will be well’ has become my watchword. Because we know Who wrote the end of the story. Weekend blessings to you …
That is funny! This word amazed me at its variations and taught me not to be caught up in only one way of seeing it used. We keep learning, don’t we?
I’ve actually been thinking about “enough” lately because I want to use it during Lent this year as I read Kate Bowler’s devotional, Good Enough. My “good enough” is only possible because of Christ’s full sufficiency.
Glad it matches y our Lent study. I pray you are blessed in this exploration!
Thank you for the thought-provoking post, Jean. Our God is enough–more than able to provide for every need, guide through every situation, strengthen for every difficulty, and more. “Enough” often carries the connotation of barely sufficient. But in the case of our Heavenly Father, his supply is ample and abundant. He also wields enough wisdom, though, to know when to be lavish and when to be sparing–for our best good!
Yes God is enough!! Interesting how He changes and adds to this word
Interesting….”enough already”…comes to mind….”thats enough of that!!”…angrily used……..maybe its time for a peaceful use of the word……with the Lord..we all have…..enough….thank you jean…
Good additions to the many layered meaning of this word!
I love how the word “enough” became associated with your word “all,” Jean – isn’t that amazing! Yes, when we stop and reflect upon it, we have to admit that we have enough and we certainly are enough in God’s eyes. I do love the quote from Bob Perks, too!
Blessings!
This word morphed into so many different levels of meaning for me, Aren’t words fun?