It’s high summer here in the desert Southwest. I’m always grateful for warm temperatures (being raised in the desert!). We also, finally, got some measurable monsoon rainfall this past week—and have had some good rains since. (Henry had earlier begun to claim we were somehow cursed, because the storm clouds would inevitably split and pass by on either side of us, day after day!)
Monsoon season has made my early morning walks quite humid as well as warm, but I go out anyway because I love the unique smell of the Sonoran Desert after a rain. Plants are celebrating too. After that first measurable rainfall, suddenly there were hundreds of light purple blossoms on the bush in our front yard, and it didn’t take bees long to find them.
I’m grateful to see plenty of bees, plenty of blossoms, and even enough water to make for fun photographic reflections in the water retention basins around our neighborhood. What I don’t want is for the water to remain there long enough to breed mosquitoes!
All this has me thinking about the word enough. I’m grateful that I have more than enough food to eat, clothing to wear, and money in the bank. I’ve had more than enough work this year, and while I’m grateful for it, I’m also ready for a break. We’ve had more than enough incidents of discord and violence in this country over the past few months, so I’m ready for a break there too.
Interestingly, when Jesus talked about “enough,” it was in that more challenging type of context. After telling his disciples not to worry and describing how God clothes the lilies of the field, he says, ““So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” He also made a comment about making sure there’s enough money in the bank before you begin to build your big, fancy tower.
Next week, I’m going to reflect further on what it means for us to have enough. Meanwhile, ponder what comes to mind for you when you think about enough. What are you grateful for in this summer season?
We attended a “how much is enough” retreat once, and upon returning home, everyone asked, “Well how much IS enough?” It’s a state of mind; gratitude for everything. A drop of rain, a smile, a chance to help out where there is need, a call from a friend, a quiet evening, a heart that yearns for peace and love… The list of small gratitudes is enough.
Oh, Carol, this is a great list and a great subject for a retreat. Thank you for sharing and for the reminder about the importance of small gratitudes.
Peace,
Shirin
I so agree😊🙏 Those gratitudes may be small in the grand scheme of things, but they are everything to the one who is blessed to perceive them. A retreat would be one continuous prayer of thanks in an otherwise time of national despair. Wouldn’t another one at St. Philip’s be wonderful 🙏
You are so right, Barbara! I am sure there will be another retreat at St. Philip’s…in Advent if not before…. Meanwhile, let us be connected in prayer and gratitude, day by day….
Peace,
Shirin
Shirin-
Ever since moving into this small ‘Grama’ house, I’ve been made aware of space. And how much fits in here. And how much is enough, like you said. A single fork replaced almost a dozen utensils in my postage stamp kitchen. I can have only so many plants, books, things. And I’ve learned the old adage, ‘less is more’. I too am grateful on a daily basis for my gardens that produce my food, the bees that work with me in my herbs or sunflowers or the ability to bake my own bread again. I’m grateful for the blessing of turning on the hose and having water for all this produce. Or being in a neighborhood where we look out for one another. Anymore, everywhere I turn, I’m filled with gratitude for God’s tremendous blessings in my life. And I take time to thank Him for all that He’s given me.
In faith, with courage
Nila
Oh, Nila, thank you for this gorgeous list of ways in which you are living into both “enough” and gratefulness. Your choices and your clear gratitude are inspiring for me. I’m so glad for you!
Peace,
Shirin