What Do I Have Enough Of?
True confession time: I have a fear of “not enough.”
Do I have enough?…money to pay bills, money to buy what I want, time to fulfill my responsibilities, time to do what I want to do, yarn for my next project, groceries for the week, ingredients to whip up something yummy if a visitor drops by, gas in the car, fuel in the heater, cream for tomorrow’s coffee? My list could be endless if I really begin to be honest with myself. I’m sure this is part of why I am a “saver.” (That’s a story and a laugh for another time…)
Have I ever run out of any of these things? Sure, but the world didn’t stop spinning.
I found a different project to knit, rearranged my schedule even if it wasn’t ideal, decided to drink tea instead of coffee, or made a trip to the store to get what I needed. And sometimes I simply managed without what I thought I needed because I didn’t have the money that day. Guess what? I survived!
Honestly, I have been embarrassed for some of my friends to see how much fabric, yarn, canned goods, etc. that I do have. (Stop by some time and I’ll show you what I mean…)
Even as I type these words I realize how petty and selfish they sound. I have spent way too much time and emotional energy being consumed by what I thought was necessary to make life “good.”
Jesus had it right, as always,
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34–NASB)
Did you catch that, ladies? “Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Trouble is what we always have too much of when our focus is on anything and everything but Him. The more time I spend making sure I have “enough” of anything, I am missing out on time in deeper relationship with Him.
Not only did Jesus tell us what NOT to do, “worry about tomorrow,” He gave us the solution, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” Another way to put it would be as paraphrased in the Living Bible,
“And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?
So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.” (Matthew 6:30-33)
So, instead of checking the bank balance too often, being overly concerned with scheduling each day perfectly, or looking to any “thing” as in indicator of enough happiness, let’s seek a moment-by-moment relationship with our Father. Life in Him is good.
Make the habit no matter your age or stage. Truth is truth and knows no boundaries.
GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!
