I love learning new words. Over the weekend I happened to either hear or read several times the word "Dayenu", a Hebrew word. It is the title of a song that is sung at Passover celebrations around the world. The song, sung after the re-telling of the exodus story and right before the passover story,is very old and could seem to go on and on for all fifteen verses. But the repetition is really the point. Basically the word dayenu means" it would have been enough for us". The song begins " Had he brought us out of Egypt and not judged them, it would have been enough for us." It continues through the Hebrews delivery from slavery at the hand of Pharaoh, through the miracle stories of manna from heaven and parting the Red Sea, to the various ways of being with God in the world. Each statement outlines the Holy’s loving action ending with the words ‘it would have been enough for us’.

The concept of ‘enough’ is a tricky one for 21st century people, especially Americans.We are generally always looking for the next thing to do, to acquire, to become, to achieve, even in our faith lives. How do we even get our heads around the concept of enough? And to think of the humility that is at the core of this actually very upbeat little song, boggles the mind. To say to God:"Had you given us this precious day and invited us into it….that would have been enough." The words are bathed in a gratitude that is enormous.

Of course the concept of enough is a double edged sword. There are many situations in which we want to scream out ‘enough is enough’. When we see the ways in which people are being tortured, abused, oppressed in Darfur, Zimbabwe, Iran, Iraq, in so many places, ‘enough’ takes on a different meaning. When we see within our own city the devastation of families and homes as the housing foreclosure crisis continues to worsen, we wonder when someone will say, "enough". As United Methodists gather this week for our General Conference, those present will once again lobby and argue over the faithful or improper way to be the church. Some of these discussions make me want to shout ‘enough is enough’. So many situations bring out this side of enough.

But as our Jewish brothers and sisters gather for the Passover Seder, they gather to tell the story of grace that exists in the Presence of God that walks with each of us through history, through faith, through our lives. In singing this simple song they will take a moment to remember and to give thanks for the small and giant ways we are gifted. The underlying message is: all we have and all we are is a gift from the Creator and gratitude and awe are our response. It is a very positive, hopeful way of opening our hearts to the presence of God. May we each add our prayers of wonder and gratitude to this song…….and make it go on forever…….dayenu.

"Enough. These few words are enough. If not these words, this breath. If not this breath, this sitting here. This opening to the life we have refused again and again until now. Until now." David Whyte