I grew up in a very large family. I am number 5 of seven kids. Being from a large family, there were certain routines we had to maintain in order to make day to day life function somewhat properly. We all knew that if we didn’t adhere to these routines then we would miss out on certain things, like eating, talking on the phone (this was pre-cell phone years) or bathroom time. We had 1 bathroom for 9 people, so bathroom time was a valuable amenity.
My mom made suppers every night when I was a kid. When it was time for supper, we all knew that you better be sitting at the table or you wouldn’t get any food. We didn’t ever have an option of what to eat. We ate what was on our plate and there were no leftovers. My mom would dish out each of our plates based on our size or age and that is all we would get. We got just enough. My mom made just enough. She served up our plates so we all got our portion. If you weren’t at the table, you wouldn’t get your portion. This meant you didn’t miss supper, otherwise you would be hungry. We didn’t have a snack cupboard or pantry filled with food, we always had just enough.
Being a kid and growing up in this environment, I of course, thought this was typical. So, when I was first married Travis, I saw and did exactly what I was taught. I made just enough. I was so excited as his new bride to cook for him. He sat down at the table and I scooped out his portion, and then I scooped out my portion and brought both plates to the table. I remember him looking down at his plate, and I could see on his face he was thinking to himself, “This is it? This is all I get?” I can remember his facial expression, and it discouraged me as his new and young 19-year-old bride. I thought for sure I failed as a wife. Thankfully, after 25 years of marriage, I have learned what he likes and his portion sizes. In return, he has learned to control his facial expressions and blunt comments. It’s sounds funny to say, but we now have strong marital harmony when it comes to food.
A few months ago, I was sitting in church and this scenario came to mind, and I felt like God was asking me, “Dawn, is your mentality, just enough? Dawn, have you taken the mentality of what you saw as a kid, when it came to family suppers, and allowed it to creep into your life and mentality as an adult?”
“Just enough” mentality. No leftovers. Bare minimum.
I began to think about what this mentality could look like. Just enough friends. Just enough success in my job. Just enough satisfaction with my grades. Just enough of Jesus to keep me out of hell. Just enough faith to survive. Just enough compassion, love, kindness. Just enough generosity. Am I just a good enough spouse? Just a good enough parent? Just a good enough friend? Or when I think of God do I think He will give me just enough. Is He a God of just enough? Do I view Him as this just enough God?
I believe that God was challenging me with this thought. But why? Why would I be thinking about this concept. I didn’t feel like I believed any of those things, or did I? I knew God was trying to teach me more and challenge me.
About a week went by and again I felt like God gave me another picture, this time it was a buffet table. This time it was clear to me that he was saying that He doesn’t have just enough for me, He has more than enough. He made it clear that He has a beautiful buffet set out for me and that I am invited to continually come to this table because He has more than enough. He is the God of more than enough.
I had to ask myself the question, “Dawn, how do you view God?” I have asked myself that many times since, and I have finally answered that question. God is my everything; He is more than enough! So how about you? How do you view your Father in heaven? Let me put it this way. What’s your view of God? How do you view Him? How do you look at Him? Do you recognize Him as the source and provider of all things? That it all belongs to Him? It all comes from Him and it’s all dispersed by Him? Do you really view Him as a more than enough God?
In the Bible I think the Apostle Paul wanted to increase our view of God. He wrote these words in Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!”
Did you hear that? He said God is able to do more than you and I can think of, more than we can dream of, more than we could ever ask for, and more than we could ever imagine.
No matter what you and I could possibly think of, God is able to do more. That’s what Paul says. Not only is He able to do more, it says He is able to do immeasurably more. God’s resources are beyond measure, so much so that we cannot even fathom the extent of how big He is and what is possible.
So, is this more than enough God, the God you really know? Is this God, the God you depend on for your everyday needs and living? Is this the God that you are trusting to provide for you everything you need in life?
What about in your marriage? Is this the God you rely on when you feel like your marriage is at the end of its rope? When your marriage feels hopeless, and you think it can never get better? When your spouse is selfish, unkind or insensitive? When the emotional wounds are deep and the love is dissipating? How about when you believe that only a miracle could save your marriage? Again, what do you believe about God?
Is God the first one you turn to when you are frustrated with your spouse? Do you call on Him when the fighting is out of control and the anger is raging up within you? Do you believe that you can trust him with your marriage and your spouse? Do you believe that God has a plan and a purpose for your marriage and that He can make all things new? Do you really trust Him?
I believe that God is a more than enough God. Immeasurably more! I even believe this for YOU! He can do immeasurably more than you could ever ask or imagine. I trust God with my marriage and my spouse, and I know that God is working on my behalf. Let me challenge you, trust him. Trust him with your marriage. Trust him with your spouse. Trust him with your life. Don’t give up! He is working on your behalf! We serve a God of miracles, a God of more than enough.
