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For some reason I am always surprised by the not-so-subtle ways that God makes His presence known in our lives. I received an email this week from my Aunt Rose. I do not know who wrote it or where it came from, but it spoke to a need in my life, and I think it speaks a helpful word to and for us as a congregation on this day.
What is enough?
Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, "I love you and I wish you enough."
The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom."
They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?"
"Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever goodbye?"
"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," she said.
"When you were saying goodbye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?"
She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been
handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone". She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she 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 she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory -- “I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.”
She then began to cry and walked away. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an
entire life to forget them.
When I finished reading this I immediately sent a reply of thanks to my aunt. I told her that I could not remember the last time that I had read something that made me think so much of my grandmother and her mother. Rose’s Mammaw was always a person who had enough. She had enough time to spend with whomever stopped by. She had enough strength to carry whatever burden was hers to bear. She had enough grace for any wrong done to her.
I can almost hear her now: “Trust the Lord, Eddie. God will take care of you.” Whatever my challenge, my problem, or my situation, those were her words to me. He has, He does, He will and there will be enough.
Now, to our co-laborer in the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Reverend Amy Fritts, on behalf of the congregation of Ball Camp Baptist Church, our prayer for you and your family is enough, always enough. Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Joy and Peace,
Ed
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