Enoughness

For the past ten years or so, I have enjoyed the spiritual practice of listening for a sacred word to accompany me into each new year. Some of the words that have been my companions over the years include: Trust. Fallow. Dance. Still. Play. Pilgrimage. 

And now - drum roll please - this year’s word is ENOUGH.

Enough is a fascinating word! When it first landed on my heart, it felt like a reminder of the gift of grace. I am enough. You are enough. God’s love is enough. 

And this is true. There is nothing I need to do to earn God’s love and grace. Nothing. It is an unearned and extravagant gift – an affirmation of our intrinsic belovedness, far beyond our ability to comprehend. Ignatius of Loyola expresses this beautifully in his well-known prayer…

“Give me only your love and grace.

These alone are enough for me.”

Remembering that I am enough – deeply beloved just as I am - is foundational to my faith that is rooted in Christ’s love, forgiveness, and grace for all of God’s people.

And yet, if I allow this assurance of enoughness to drift into the belief that I have already done enough - that there is nothing more I need to do to bring about the kindom of God on earth - then I fear that I am missing the point. 

Sometimes the word enough ends with an exclamation point rather than a period. “Enough!” can also be a call to action. 

I want to say “Enough!” to this growing disregard for our common humanity… “Enough!” to the lie that profit is more important than people… “Enough!” to the belief that retribution (eye for an eye) is more important than restoration (turn the other cheek). 

The great challenge seems to be discerning when it is time to rest in the assurance that I have done enough … and when it is time to stand up and say, “Enough!” How can I be still enough to know and bold enough to go wherever God is calling? 

There are no simple answers to this question. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were?!? 

Maybe this year’s word – enough – is less about finding answers and more about finding balance. Without nurturing inner stillness, our action risks becoming self-centered rather than God-centered. And without boldly stepping beyond our comfort zones, our stillness risks turning into empty navel-gazing.

So, as we continue our journey deeper into 2026, may we lean into the questions together as we seek to be still enough to listen deeply and bold enough to respond with courage — trusting that God’s grace is enough.

Photo Credit:This pic is the cover of my journal (and purple pen, of course!) with the "Enough" sticker I recently picked up at the Genesis Spiritual Life Center while on retreat there a few weeks ago.