Enough

     It had been a long day. My mind felt drained and tired. Yet, it had also been a good day. God’s goodness and grace abounded from morning to evening. But by the time my husband walked through the door, a well-needed break was in order.

     “I’m going swimming,” I announced, “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.” In my swimsuit and wrapped in a towel, I marched to the neighborhood pool. Thunder rolls and cloudy skies chased away the typical evening swimmers. But that was fine with me. A deserted pool and quiet appealed to my overrun senses.

     Lounge chairs dotted the pool area. As I grabbed a chair, the rustling leaves from the overhanging trees soothed my spirit. I sat, drinking in the peace. God will provide. Jehovah Jireh. A message from church played through my head. These words of encouragement ministered to my tired soul. You don’t have to know the next steps. Like with Abraham, God will guide you. I closed my eyes and let the Holy Spirit wash over me. I am more than enough. I am the God who sees to it.

     As my chest rose and fell, a fresh peace bathed my spirit. I stood. Stepping to the pool’s edge, I paused. Then, in one fluid motion, my arms streamlined into the water. The refreshing coolness washed away the cobwebs and mental mire. One, two, three, four, stroked my arms. My face broke the surface and I breathed. More than enough, sang the words in my head, More than enough. I smiled. A weight I had not even known I had been carrying, floated away. As my legs kicked and arms churned, the water continued washing over me.

     When I finally emerged, my spirit was light. But God in His goodness wasn’t finished. Back at home, I sat at the dinner table with my family. Still clothed in a wet swimsuit and towel, rain began to fall.

     “Let’s go, Mommy!” cried my little girl, leaping out of her seat. I listened to the heavy pounding on the roof.
     “It’s pouring, Sweet Pea,” I protested, “we’ll get soaked.” Sweet Pea just grinned and grabbed my hand. Somehow, I allowed myself to be dragged out the door. A downpour of magnificent proportions greeted us. Off came my towel and over our heads it went. Thunder echoed. Ankle-deep water splashed over our bare feet. Our tradition of running barefoot in the rain was underway.

     “Doesn’t this feel awesome?” asked Sweet Pea, jumping in puddles. A cool breeze kissed our cheeks through the heavy splatter of drops. I smiled. One arm clutched the towel high above my head and the other extended to feel the rain. For me, the rain and sound of thunder makes me feel close to God. His voice speaks to me through the thunder and His fingers caress me through the falling raindrops.

     Splash! Sweet Pea kicked her leg in a deep puddle, drenching my legs. She grinned. I laughed. We raced on, dodging raindrops, and lifting our faces to the sky. By the time we returned home from our wet walk, any vestiges of the earlier mire were completely washed clean. Lord, You are more than enough, my spirit silently praised, You provide exactly what is needed, when it is needed. Joy bubbled deep.

     Yet even as the evening progressed, joy continued flowing. Laughter over funny tales and teasing filled the night air. Bellies shook and eyes crinkled. For where joy abounds, peace resides.

     God is Jehovah Jireh. He is the one who provides what we need when we need it. Often, God does not reveal the next step ahead of time. For me, this is challenging. As a person who likes planning and knowing what lies ahead, to wait on God takes faith. Yet, even as I write this, I am struck how it can take more faith sometimes to wait on God for the next steps. How easy it is for us to forge ahead in our own timing with what we think is best.
​
     But true faith learns to wait on God and be content in the waiting. Like Abraham, we have every confidence that God will provide the next step in His perfect timing. God will see to it. He is our Provider and He is more than enough.