During three seasons of life, I have struggled with the topic of “Not Enough.”
Because I was raised in a perfectionist legalistic culture, it seemed I was never enough for God. Markers of spiritual maturity included how many people we could convince to become Christians and how efficiently we used our spiritual gifts.
This focus led to evangelism by guilt and service by exhaustion.
While in college, I met a group of students who shared love and joy with me. As I learned about God’s unconditional love, the old lies began to fade. Soon, I realized I could not earn my way into God’s heart, rather I had been gifted with a first class ticket.
Jesus was enough. Therefore, I did not have to DO. Rather, I could just BE.
The second “Not Enough” season came in the post-divorce years. Like most women whose marriages end, I tried to rationalize why it happened.
Was I not pretty enough? Skinny enough? Smart enough? Did I not pray enough for him and for our marriage? Did I not submit enough? (another leftover from legalism).
After several years in therapy, the “Not Enough” voices rode off into the sunset. A failed marriage is not one person’s fault and multiple factors can lead to its finality. Therefore, if I did not cause those circumstances, then I could not be responsible to fix them.
“Not Enough” became “Start Over and Embrace Life.”
In this current season of grieving, I again face the demons of Not Enough. As the grief process edges away from the shards of pain and into the emptiness of loss, I wonder if I was enough. Although I know false guilt is one of the side effects of grief, still – the questions persist.
Did Deb know I loved her? Did I say it enough – show it enough? Was our friendship so deep because I needed her? Did I give back enough of what she needed? Did I do enough for her at the end? Did she know I was there, praying she would wake up and start laughing? Was I enough?
Several weeks ago, I attended a spiritual retreat in the country. Being in God’s front yard is always life-giving for me – walking in rhythm with a floating monarch, crunching autumn grass under my feet, petting horses and dogs, stroking a plant. I always feel “enough” within the worship of God’s creation.
Our spiritual exercise was to choose a rock and write an affirmation on it – to remind ourselves to delete the negatives and nurture the positives.
I like rocks. They remind me something in this life is sturdy – dependable – unchanging. Within seconds, I knew what my affirmation would be.
The rock now sits on my windowsill, but I may move it to the memorial I built for Deb – Colorado river rocks at the base of her metal wind machine. I may plant the rock in a sturdy base to remind me of truth – to chase away forever the “Not Enough” lie.
A simple statement. A visual reminder of the following truths:
*In my spiritual journey, God is enough. Leave the legalistic expectations behind.
*With past failures, learn from them and underscore that I gave enough. I did what I could. Let it go.
*In grief, respect the process and nurture the memories. Receive the truth that none of us is perfect. But as we persevere to love others, the attempt is what matters.
I stroke the rock and wipe a tear.
I was enough.
©2017 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved
Mark 14:8 helps me know that I am enough. While Jesus was eating at the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came and poured it on Jesus’ feet. The other guests pointed out the “works” that she should be doing and how she should do those “works.” But, Jesus said to leave her alone and stop bothering her. He said “She did what she could. She has done a beautiful thing to me.” Jesus said she “was enough.”
There are days I spend in bed or on my couch wishing I was out “doing” instead of just “being.” But Jesus says, “She [Ginger] did what she could.” I am enough.
Beautiful reminder, Ginger. Thank you!
You loved her until her cup was full.
Love that visual, Sally! Thank you.