“The leech has two daughters.
‘Give! Give!’ they cry.
“There are three things that are never satisfied,
four that never say, ‘Enough!’:
the grave, the barren womb,
land, which is never satisfied with water,
and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’ Proverb 30:15-16
Enough (def) occurring in such quantity, quality, or scope as to fully meet demands, needs, or expectations in or to a degree or quantity that satisfies or that is sufficient or necessary for satisfaction : SUFFICIENTLY
Enough. It’s my key word right now. A complex idea that can go down a lot of rambling rabbit trails. I’ve said it selfishly and sinfully when my flesh is screaming. I’ve prayed for it, needy and poor in spirit when I’ve found humility. I’m soul sick because I have more than enough of what really doesn’t matter and not enough of what I know I need. I’ve debated it aloud, on paper and spiritually silent. Enough…have you been there?
“ENOUGH!” screamed with authority tells us all we need to know about another person’s limits, they’ve reached them. They’ve had all they can take of something. It’s the irritated proverbial cry, ‘Uncle’ that’s gritted out or gasped depending on the ‘something’.
“Haven’t you had enough?” The tone in the question inquiries of our greed. Do we really need still more? Haven’t we been satisfied yet? I mean look at all you’ve had. Will it ever be enough?
“Is it enough?” is the query that seeks balance. A little more to gain-a little less to give. Enough salt in the stew. Enough off the top. More wine? Less stress.
“I have enough!” is the exclamation of joy when we’ve done enough to pass the test. We made the grade, found our way, paid the debt.
“There might not be enough,” is the warning that reminds us to hold back and only take the portion that we really need. We give up our seat and stand. Our rights for God’s glory.
“Am I enough?” is the question poised after we’ve performed. Have we personally shown the mastery sufficient or necessary to satisfy the demand. Will we get the job, make the team, earn the promotion.
“Will I have enough?” is the accounting inquiry to determine that inputs will satisfy the outputs. Enough money. Enough strength. Enough resilience. Enough endurance.
“God is enough.” The statement of trust in the grace and sufficiency of God. “My grace is sufficient for you” 2 Cor 12:9
I am often the leech’s daughter, crying, “more, more”. I want more. I also want Peace. Wisdom. Intimacy. I want to know Christ, more. I understand the poverty of riches and the riches of poverty. I have enough peace when I abide in the presence of Christ. I have all the wisdom I need when I seek the mind of Christ in His words. Loving Christ, here I am satisfied sufficiently. I like John Adams words, “The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to know…Do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly. This is enough.”
And yet I doubt and look and pout and seek. And I found this from Chuck Palahniuk,
“That if you could acquire enough, accomplish enough, you’d never want to own or do another thing. That if you could eat or sleep enough, you’d never need more. That if enough people loved you, you’d stop needing love.”
So it’s back to balance. Hunger is good because it makes us seek nourishment. Discipline is needed because it will make my choices most beneficial and it guides me to the point of ceasing before I tip into greed. Grace is a necessity because this world is full of glutinous people just like me. And there is one truth I keep rehearsing, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Why? Because God’s grace is sufficient.
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