Enough

Enough- adj: adequate for the want or need; sufficient for the purpose or to satisfy desire

     It’s a difficult word to digest for most people. Is there enough money? Food in the fridge? Time to get things done? Gas in the car? Clothes in the closet? People to help with the tasks? Energy to keep going? Vacation hours to go on that trip? All of these things and more, amounts vary from person to person, home to home.

Sometimes I tend to struggle with the word “enough” in a different form. Am I doing enough with my time? Do I have enough tasks to make the most of my being? Am I enough to fill the role? Am I being enough of a leader to these kids? Am I making enough of a difference? Am I enough?

And yet, the kids around me have been told they’re not enough, due to their past experiences. Some have been living on the streets, provided maybe a tortilla a day to fill their stomachs, with their older siblings caring for them. Others were close to death at the hand of a parent or guardian. None of them were given the opportunities that most of us were given in our childhood. They’ve been told for majority of their life that they aren’t enough. But, in fact, they were created for a purpose. They are loved more than they can imagine by a God who created them in His image. They are worthy of shelter, love, care, education, medical/dental treatment, three meals a day, access to spiritual guidance, and so much more. They are enough.

^“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizenswith God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundationof the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy templein the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22

That’s one of the greatest lessons I’m trying to teach not only the kids, but to myself as well. Despite my flaws, my need for occasional rest, my ability to be only in one place at a time,my limited talents and use of the native language, and my skin condition and the bullying that has come and continues to come with it, I am more than enough. Despite the hardships they’ve gone through in the past, whether it be poverty, homelessness, sexual/physical abuse, death in the family, each kids that calls, has called, or will call Casa Shalom home is more than enough.

And to you, who are taking the time to read this, you are enough. You were created in the image of God to fulfill the role of spouse, sibling, friend, child, parent, co-worker, boss, teacher, role-model, and so many other roles. You are enough. There’s only so much that can be done with your God-given talents, abilities, and time, and that is enough. No need to strive until you can’t do much more. Take the time God has given you to not only fulfill those roles, but to relax, refresh, and remember that you are enough…. even on those days you may not feel like it. Christ thinks you’re to die for!