ENOUGH TO SATISFY
It’s time for Five Minute Friday. We write for five minutes without editing, using a one word prompt. I must confess that I often catch myself editing as I go. It’s also hard to stick within a five minute time limit, but I do my best. This week’s prompt is the word enough. How much is enough to satisfy?
As I was thinking about the prompt, the following statement popped into my mind. Enough is as good as a feast. ~Mary Poppins
What do you think that means? I have a feeling that it might have a little bit to do with being content with what we have.
Did you get enough to eat? There’s plenty more. Don’t go away hungry!
Those words were said by my mother and her mother before her when they served a meal. They wanted to make sure everyone had enough. Usually there was so much that we couldn’t eat another bite, and they still insisted that we were welcome to more. I do appreciate their gifts of hospitality.
Often we take for granted the things we have and end up wanting more.
We think if only we had a new outfit, or if only my house was clean, or if only I could have one more hour in the day, etc., then I wouldn’t want any more. The trouble is when we think like that we will never be satisfied. We could always wish for more and never think there is enough.
CONTENTMENT AND ENOUGH TO SATISFY
I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I think giving thanks for what we have would be a good start. I think our contentment has a lot to do with whether or not we are satisfied.
Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear, because our Father knows what we need. He said in Matthew 6:33:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
In scripture we see many examples where Jesus provides what is needed. His first miracle was turning water into wine, not just any wine, but the best.
JESUS PROVIDES ENOUGH
Another example is when there were over 5,000 people gathered who were hungry. The only food they could find were a few small loaves and some fish. Jesus blessed them, and there was not only food to go around but plenty left over. You can read this story in John 6:
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” (John 6:12 NIV) (emphasis added)
What do you think? How can we tell when we have enough?
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #InspireMeMonday, #Glimpses, #MomentsofHope
Great examples from Scripture showing that Jesus provides enough. I’m so glad we are enough in Christ. I’m in the 39 spot this week.
Thanks, Tara! I’m glad, too. 🙂 I’m off to visit your post.
Blessings to you!
What a great take on the word and a post that causes us to really look and think inside ourselves! I love it! What a gift it is to be Content and Satisfied with life! He is always our Enough!
Thanks, Karrilee! I’m glad you like it. 🙂 Yes, He is always our enough. May we recognize that all the time. 🙂
Blessings to you!
Interesting question “how much does it take to be satisfied?. Does content mean satisfied? Or can I be content knowing I will never be totally satisfied as long as I am on Earth? Great post. Jesus is the only one who satisfies. Thanks for visiting me @ #74.
Those are great questions, Mary. I don’t know if we can totally find the answers except for the fact that Jesus really is the only one who satisfies. 🙂
Thanks so much for visiting. Blessings to you!
This is so beautiful!!! It is hard but yes gratitude and simplifying are key I think. Fmf neighbor https://writeitout2017.wordpress.com/2017/04/08/enough-5-minute-prompt/
Thank you so much, Heather! Yes, it is hard and I’m still trying to learn, but it’s a process.
Blessings to you and thanks for visiting!
“Enough is as good as a feast” I love that quote! It fits so well with all that Jesus told us about being content with what we have. And I think you are right, that gratitude is where contentment starts, and where we realize that Jesus helps us to be satisfied. (And I’m glad you have a toaster oven to use while your full size oven isn’t working! That bread looks beautiful!) Love & Hugs! xo
Thanks Bettie! That quote does fit well, doesn’t it? Gratitude really is a key, and I need to practice it more. Jesus really does help us learn to be satisfied.
I’m glad we have a large enough toaster oven, too. I actually cooked pizza in it tonight! Wish I could share some of the bread with you. Maybe one day…..
Love and hugs and blessings! xoxo
Great post, Gayl. I think ‘enough’ really ties into circumstance. Right now I’d give a lot to find a remotely comfortable body-position, but it’s not happening.
So I guess I would settle for a bagful of cash and a Ferrari, instead. (You taking notes, there, God?)
Thanks, Andrew. I agree with you that ‘enough’ definitely ties in with our circumstances. Thank you, too, for the way you put your trust in God and encourage others. I pray that God would provide a way for you to find even a bit of comfort in your day.
Cash and a Ferrari? Yes, please! 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by, Andrew. You still find ways to joke, have fun and encourage. Blessings to you, dear brother!
Gayl, I firmly believe gratitude helps foster contentment, as does living with a mindset of savouring the sweetness of now, rather than always yearning for what lies over the rim of tomorrow. Our mindful appreciation paves the way for thanksgiving and prayer. Having “enough” is something the world seems to suggest is impossible, with its constant clarion call to consumerism. Yet the happiest people in the world are more often than not those who are content with what they already have. This is a great, thought-provoking post, my friend! I love your take on the prompt. Love and hugs to you! 🙂 xox
Joy, this is simple but so profound -“Our mindful appreciation paves the way for thanksgiving and prayer.” Thank you so much for your encouraging comments. Yes, the world makes us think nothing will ever be enough, but in Christ we have all we need.
Love and blessings to you my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
As I was reading your post I noticed the picture of the breakfast and noticed that we had those plates growing up and I always loved them. They were put away in the china cabinet so we only used them for special occasions. I have them now and they are put away in a box and even less used. I have enough everyday plates that sit in our cupboard and are washed daily in the dishwasher that it seems like a lot of work to take the others out, use them along with hand washing them since they are so old I’m thinking they are not dishwasher safe! 🙂 And if though I don’t use them I don’t think I could get rid of them either since they hold special memories and significance. Interesting how we hold on to things even when we don’t use them….. not really sure what significance… or any that has to do with your post but I found my mind wandering back to happy memories of days gone by sitting around the table with family and friends, enjoying good food, fun stories, laughter and love… we always had enough! Thanks for these words and reminders! (Stopping by from InspireMeMonday)
Rachel, I’m so glad this brought up some good memories for you. 🙂 It’s always good to look back and remember the good times. Thanks for visiting today!
Many blessings to you!
Gayl, Love the quote from Mary Poppins. You question has me puzzled. It seems we would each look at ‘enough’ in different ways. For some it would be one outfit. For another 300 outfits would not be enough. Maybe part of it is perspective, how we look at things and the world, and part is attitude, being thankful for what we have and realizing that more does not really produce true happiness..
Thanks for visiting, Theresa. I appreciate your comments and agree with you there. I pray that God would help us realize what is enough and that our attitudes would reflect contentment and trust in Him.
Blessings to you!
Thank you for pointing us back to being content in God. When you described the pattern of not being satisfied I call it the “if only” syndrome. If only I had… and you can fill in the blank. Sometimes we make our if onlys contingent on our happiness.
I pray you have a wonderful Easter with your family.
Yes, I think we are all too familiar with the “if only” syndrome. I pray that we will base our happiness on what God has done for us, and that we can be content with what we have.
May you also have a wonderful Easter with your lovely family! Blessings to you, dear Mary! xo
I’ve been learning contentment in my season of lack. It’s hard to feel satisfied when I feel so empty at times. But I know God continually comes to fill me. I must continue to walk by faith and not by sight, and keep my eyes on Jesus! Easter blessings to you!
Contentment is so hard to learn. It’s really an ongoing thing for me. I can always find something to complain about, but then I just get frustrated. I pray that God will help us to continue on the path He is leading on and trust in Him.
Thanks so much for your comments. Easter blessings to you, too!