When Enough Is Enough

We have a revolving door prodigal son whom we love dearly. Drug addiction has plagued Wade for nearly 20 years, causing anguish for not only him, but also for all who love him.

Sometimes God turns on our mercy and we allow Wade to return home for another chance. Then, when he has blown that opportunity...be it by arrest or blatant disregard for our rules...our mercy is turned off and he is asked to leave. And so it goes...on and on and on.

Wade is nearing the end of a jail term. My husband and I have moved to a new town where no one knows "our business". We have a new home and look forward to a peaceful and quiet retirement.

But alas, God began nudging me with His mercy to allow Wade to move here with us. Oh horrors! No, no, no, not again! And yet the nudging persisted. I came up with a Gideon sign for God to show me. He did and even one-upped it. Oh, rats!

I poured my heart out to God. Through tears I shared all my fears of Wade breaking our hearts again, people gossiping about us in our new town, and our peace being destroyed. "We deserve this new peace," I cried. "We've done our time. Enough is enough!"

Ever so gently, He pierced my heart with humility and conviction as He said, "It is not for you to tell Me when enough is enough. I will tell you when enough is enough."

Then memories flooded my mind of all the elderly people in the Bible who God used for His Kingdom. Oh my heavens, did I think I was better than Abraham or John the disciple, etc.? Obedience replaced my rebellion and instantly the peace that passes all understanding flooded my soul.

At times God does not hesitate to forcibly tell His people enough is enough. But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. "That is enough," the Lord said. "Do not speak to me anymore about this matter." Deuteronomy 3:26

But at other times, He does it gently, as He did with me. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."  Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. 1 Kings 19:3-5a

God did not tell Elijah enough is enough in so many words. Instead, He sent an angel to minister to his physical needs. Then He encouraged him spiritually in a beautiful, personal way (see vv. 11-13). Once God had rejuvenated Elijah, He continued using the prophet until, and only, until He deemed his work complete.

Yes, we will allow Wade to come here when he finishes his term. No, we don't know for how long or if possibly this is THE time we have been praying for.

But that's okay. God Almighty knows and He will tell us exactly when...enough is enough.