Enough

Recently, I’ve been thinking about the difference between “being good enough” and “being enough.” I suppose it’s a very fine line, but, to me, one implies inherent self-worth and value while the other implies action, word, deed, or behavior.

 

I suppose that’s why my Forever Young Authors Entry came out like it did. The theme was “Building and Designing The Future.” I knew that I wanted to write about being a teacher—because teachers build and design the future every day—but I didn’t know that I needed to write about being enough.

 

Here is what I wrote:

 

But am I enough? I often wonder

Under the pressure of

It all.

Life is so big. I am so small: But even a

Dim light

In a dark 

Night shines bright. I

Give selflessly. I

Take so that others might give. I am a

Harbor of safety. I love. But am I

Enough?

For to teach is not to prosper or move

Up in wealth or status.

To teach is not to gain worldly respect. And yet: Nothing is more

Useful than instilling knowledge, wisdom, and values. Nothing is more important than

Raising the future. And so: Yes! I am

Enough. And I will always be enough.

 

What would you have written had you been tasked with writing about building and designing the future? Better yet, what do you think is the difference between “being enough” and “being good enough.” Is there a difference? And do you think you are both, either, or neither?

 

Dear God: You created humanity and called us good. Help us to rest in that goodness and to honor and glorify you with our very lives. Help us to know that the work you lead us to do—however seemingly trivial—is enough and that when we are doing our best to follow you and live in Love then we are doing what is good enough. You are God. And you are good. And we are yours. Thank you. Amen.