Wishing You Enough

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:13-19 ESV). I have great difficulties with saying goodbye. I am a “hanger-oner.” My family tells me that I often hang on to the past whether it is embodied in an idea, memory, or a physical item. I just don’t like to change. And, good-byes are some of the toughest changes we ever experience. Recently I read a wonderful story of a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her departure and standing near the security gate, they hugged and he said, "I love you. I wish you enough." She in turn said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy." They kissed and she left. He walked over toward the window where the writer was seated. Standing there, he could see he wanted and needed to cry. He tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed him in by asking, "Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?" "Yes,” he replied. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?" he asked. "I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, the next trip back would be for my funeral," he said. "When you were saying goodbye I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?" He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." He paused for a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them," he continued. Then, turning toward him, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory. "I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye." He then began to sob and walked away. Change is inevitable in our lives. However, we need not fear it. Perhaps you are facing some changes in your life today. Like the Apostle Paul, I would like you to know that our God is able to supply all that you need in the coming challenges. My friends, I wish you enough!