We have the constant sensation of not enough: not enough time, not enough rest, not enough exercise, not enough leisure. Where does God fit into a life that already seems behind schedule?
Asks Philip Yancey, a mere five pages into Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?
The phrase not enough stops me cold. Why do I see myself so accurately reflected in these two words when I —
- Am reading in the privacy of my home (space, I have space and often a quiet environment)
- Am sipping tea (out of one of many mugs, made with clean water, chosen from many kinds of tea)
- Am sitting on a couch (I could have chosen to read on six other chairs, four stools, my bed, or two yoga mats)
- Am reading by light (I have electricity and am literate)
- Am wearing clean clothes (that I chose out of plenty of options)
- Yet I resonate immediately with the constant sensation of not enough and it catches my breath. And saddens me. Really? That’s my story? Not enough?What would it look like to consciously say I have enough! For the last two weeks, I have been practicing saying the word enough. Enough. I have enough.
Enough time
Enough energy
Enough information
Enough money
Enough friends
Enough quiet
Enough connection
Enough space
Enough significance
Enough time with my family in the States
Enough internet speed
Enough fortitude to walk all the way to the store now that the neighborhood one has been closed for a year and I’m still working on “getting over it” (translation: I have enough convenience) and enough strength to carry back my groceries
Enough Chinese language skill
Enough clothes
Enough influence
Enough of a voice
Enough of hearing from God
Enough joy
I have enough. What I have been given, I am claiming it as enough. I am choosing what I have and not looking for what I don’t have.
Some of these are easier to believe (enough time with nieces? and sisters? and friends? and parents? Enough quiet in the loud, loud morning?). But I believe that I do not walk this path unguided or alone. If this is the path that God has chosen for me, I want to receive it as one who has enough.
Who is grateful for the portion of joy or influence or money I have been given instead of pointing out how someone got just a little bit more than I did. Wondering (in politer moments) if I could have some more please and demanding through gritted teeth (in more petulant moments) FOR SOME MORE.
Not this day. This day I have enough. Help me Lord when I forget. May the grateful prayer of my heart be
Enough.
Thank you, giver of all, who makes them good. I have enough. I am enough. You are enough. Amen.
What do you have enough of this day?
Loved this…and I have enough reading to do today…and tomorrow… and the next day… :) LOL You are so right. Thanks for sharing.
Always more books! Love/hate that! :)
What a great reminder from you today! It caused me to ponder and find I am so filled with joy that in Him I will always have enough–and all those things added are extra pleasure!
Jan, thanks so much for your sweet voice here!
Today I have enough nail polish. The first day of Spring and pink nail polish on my finger nails and toes. I also have the book by Philip Yancey and will start reading it a couple months down the road.
Did I miss your post on how you ended up living in China? I’d really like to know, if you’d like to share of course.
Blessings!
Cindy, I love it! Enough nail polish! I haven’t written about how I ended up in China … though I should share! Thanks for the nudge.
As a result of the discipline of saying “enough,” I assume you will either be satisfied or be moved to positive action (a bit like my giving up self-pity). I’m already thinking I should do one of these “thought disciplines” every six weeks. Maybe enough will be my next time.
Thanks Gayle … I agree!
excellent. this looks like a heart of contentment rooted in a trust that He’s given just enough. i need to practice this word, too. enough.
Thanks for stopping by Barbara! “Enough” truly is … enough!
My favorite motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, puts it this way: “you + God = enough.”
Love this Erin! Thanks :)
I have enough of everything. When I read through your “enough” list, it touched my soul with more contentment and rest. Thanks! I especially liked “enough money,” “enough quiet,” and “enough friends.”
Ah … contentment! Yes, yes, yes.
Beautiful, Friend! I look forward to seeing you in a few days!
Thanks … me too! I’m getting excited to see you all!
Enough – this is the word we need to hear and absorb – and this post is enough to keep me thinking and thanking all day. And here I awoke this morning believing that I didn’t have ‘enough’ time this week! I just took a sharp turn in my thinking – Thank you!
You’re welcome … this is something I need to hear again and again and again!
You got me with the first item on the list–space and a quiet environment. I just came from reading another blogger’s description of living in Africa. Yes, I have more than enough.
I did not realize you were in China. I’d love to hear your story too.
Thanks Nancy — I’ll have to work on putting on paper my story!
ouch. this has been on my heart recently, anyway, but you sorta sealed the deal for me here. great words of contemplation.
steph
Love (even in the pain) when things are confirmed!
Came to your blog via Donald Miller’s. I love your post – great reality check. Read it to my 14 and 16 year old daughters, shared it with my 25 year old son, and then by way of Facebook to anyone who’ll come across my page there.
Great question. Great answer.
He IS enough.
Shyla, thanks for letting me know how you found me! Thanks for sharing with your kids and friends!
I think so many issues boil down to contentment. We tend to think of contentment in financial terms alone, but you’ve really hit on some other great issues as well. I’m content with the prestige and influence that God’s given me right now. That’s something that I often crave more of. And often not in a healthy, God-glorifying way either. I guess that’s a battle most of us fight.
Loren, you hit the one that has been a ‘work in progress’ in recent years. In the trenches with you on that one!
These verses are enough…
He has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…
No good thing will he with hold…
I have enough… I have what I need. If I don’t have it, I don’t need it.
Ah, the balm of scripture
Thanks Amy for reminding me enough is enough and Jesus is enough for me
Judy, we remind each other! Thanks for the reminder right back!
We’re on the same wavelength. I’ve been doing a series on contentment. I realized that I am very discontent with my time in particular.
Sister, I hear you. Loud and clear. Been there, working on that!
Absolutely beautiful.
Thanks. I needed to hear/ read this today. I know I have enough and way more than I really need in most things. I just need to keep reminding myself that I have enough right now to get on with doing what needs doing today. I don’t need answers for tomorrow. I have enough for today. I’m struggling with trying to know the future path I should take when really, I just need to focus on the path I am on right now and know that He has given me enough. He will provide enough answers at exactly the right time that I really need it and not when I think I need it!
Lynn, I don’t know what you are facing and don’t want to offer simplistic / pat answers. But, even in those valley times, I do know that we have more than we think we do. Thanks for your thoughts, we need to hear them.
I have enough-what a wonderful prayer to contentment!
I totally, totally resonate with what you’re saying! Amen indeed.
“Really? That’s my story? Not enough?”
“If this is the path that God has chosen for me, I want to receive it as one who has enough.”
“I have enough. I am enough. You are enough. Amen.”
So I want to follow your lead and practice saying this week, “I have enough. I am enough. He is enough.” Blessings to you, Amy!