Just enough

In a world of first, fastest, biggest and best, it seems odd that anyone could simply be satisfied with “enough”. But sometimes, enough is just what we need.

For some, it’s easy to get caught up in having the most or being the most important, but that’s not really what makes for a happy life. Doing right, being content, and knowing that we have just enough of all the wonderful things God blesses us with every day should bring satisfaction and comfort. At least that’s what this anecdote teaches.

I can’t attribute it to anyone in particular, but it was sent to me by someone I’ve never personally met on a day when it did my heart good to hear its message. A coincidence? Maybe. Although, I like to think that coincidence is nothing more than God’s decision to remain anonymous…another wise notion I borrowed from a friend.

“I wish you enough”
A father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport heard the announced departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the father said, “I love you, and I wish you enough.” The daughter replied, “Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.”

They kissed and the daughter left. The father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone, knowing it would be forever?”

“Yes, I have,” I replied. “Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?”
“I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is-the next trip back will be for my funeral,” he said.

“When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?”
The man began to smile. “That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone…” He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more.
“When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.” Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.

“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.
And I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.”
With that, the man began to cry and walked away.

It’s easy to get caught up in the business of life and all the crazy circumstances that come along with it. But our biggest joy often comes when we learn to welcome the challenges, appreciate the opportunities, and be thankful for all those whose paths cross ours. Surely all of that should be enough.

And that’s All in a day’s work!