ENOUGH is a word made into an object, an idea borrowed from Pop Art. The word derives various meanings according to its punctuation. Each letter may be filled with something---water, coins, seeds or food--or left empty, to imply something about satiation or scarcity. A friend recently “exhibited” it outside, filled with sunflower seeds. It attracted not only birds, but a deer, who broke the exclamation mark. Probably wasn’t enough there. Or maybe such gentle creatures are alarmed by the punctuation?
In The Prophetic Imagination, Walter Bruggemann says that it is difficult to keep a revolution of freedom and justice going when there is satiation...the question of civil rights seems remote when we're overly fed. King Solomon had oppressive social policy as the source of his affluence. Such exploitative appetites lead to insatiable momentum--no matter how much power, goods or security is obtained, it is never enough. It is said that when John D. Rockefeller was asked about the extent of his fortune "When is enough enough?", he replied, "When I have just a little bit more." Clearly, the Hebrew prophets would retort with a roaring "ENOUGH ! " (exclamation point).
Another example of uncontrollable satiation is in Proverbs 30:15-16: “Three things are never satisfied: four never say, "Enough": Sheol, the barren womb, the earth ever thirsty for water, and the fire that never says "Enough."
In 2 Samuel 24:16, after the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel, the Lord then turned with mercy to the avenging angel and said: It is ENOUGH; now stay your hand." (semi-colon). Enough is often the beginning of change.
The spiritual desire for enough, for elusive wholeness, is poignantly felt in several poems by Christina Rossetti. Her ENOUGH piece might end in a wistful question mark for these lines from "The Heart Knoweth its Own Bitterness":
How can we say "enough" on earth;
"Enough" with such a craving heart:
I have not found it since my birth
But still have bartered part for part.”
Change the imagery of enough to that of abundant fullness, as in the 23rd Psalm, "my cup runneth over." ENOUGH as a sense of gratitude and contentment, or "enoughness" is throughout the Tao Te Ching. This, and the assuring words of Jesus, "My grace is sufficient for you..." (2 Cor. 12:9) let the word ENOUGH end softly, and finally, with a period.
