Enough!

When our furry friend, Luci, entered our lives, she was FULL of energy! She was the largest dog I'd ever owned, and we were in over our heads. In desperation, we sought the help of a trainer. I confess, more time was spent training me --teaching me how to speak to Luci firmly, establishing routine, making sure I employed ways to help her burn some of that energy in constructive ways. One command Luci and I developed was "Enough!" This word was used for behaviors which were permitted, behaviors we didn't necessarily wish to stop altogether, but we did want her to cease at that moment. Barking at the door, for example. We wanted her to alert us to activity, but once we were headed to the door, we wanted her to stop. Enough! Over the years, we've grown complacent in our training; I in my practice and enforcement, and Luci in her obedience. "Enough!" is one of those commands that, for whatever reason, Luci continues to obey.

I was listening to our church elder preach the other day. He was telling us that he received correction with regard to his prayer life. You don't pray enough. I say he received it but, like many of us, not at first; briefly, he confessed, he attempted to defend himself. That is, until he heard it in his heart: You and Me are sitting together and having a conversation. You're talking to Me about what you wanna talk about --bring My word with you when you do it --and I tell you what I want.  And it may sound strange or over simplified, but that's what prayer is. It could be a running conversation we have throughout the day. Jesus, I'm nervous about this appointment. Jesus, thank you for providing me with this job. It could be a time or place set aside; a candle burning or hymns playing. It could be a coffee and a comfortable seat in a hospital lobby. It could be prayer meeting in the middle of the week, or with your children as you run them to karate. It can be praise before the morning sun or lament at the end of the day. Prayer can be accompanied by fasting or poured out over the pages of your Bible. Wherever you might speak, wherever you might breathe, you can pray. And there is absolutely no shortage of things for which to pray! Save my mother. Heal my uncle. Change my heart. Stop the violence. Feed the hungry. Comfort the grieving. Change my heart. Repair their marriage. Supply the money. Protect the Christians. Change my heart. Disarm the dictators. Give her direction. Change my heart. God never says, "Enough!" He never turns away the supplications and outpourings of the hearts of His people. In fact, He says, You don't pray enough. We don't pray about everything. We don't pray without ceasing. We don't pray enough. 

It was 4 AM when I let Luci into the backyard. She immediately cornered the neighbor's cat behind our burning bush. Luci, come! I demanded into the darkness. No response. I stepped back inside and closed the door, resigned to wait it out until they'd had enough. Of course, I could always pray. I don't pray enough.