The cold weather outside has slowed me down has caused me to reflect on what truly matters inside. Maybe it’s the early light stretching across the high desert, or the quiet hush before the wind picks up again at Winterpast. Of course, today is Good Friday, the day we remember Jesus’ crucifixion almost 2,000 years ago .
Recently, I learned of an old Jewish tradition called Dayenu, a Hebrew word meaning “it would have been enough.” It’s a song of gratitude, listing blessing after blessing, each one declared sufficient on its own. After hearing it for the first time, I found myself wondering… what if we looked at the life of Jesus that way?
Dayenu: The Life of Jesus
If He had come into the world as a humble child in a manger,
and simply shown us that God draws near to the lowly,
it would have been enough.
If He had grown in wisdom and favor,
teaching us how to walk with God in quiet obedience,
it would have been enough.
If He had called fishermen, tax collectors, and ordinary souls,
showing us that all are worthy to follow Him,
it would have been enough.
If He had healed the sick, given sight to the blind,
and touched the untouchable with compassion,
it would have been enough.
If He had calmed the storm and fed the multitudes,
revealing His power over creation and His care for our needs,
it would have been enough.
If He had spoken in parables of seeds and soil,
teaching us the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven,
it would have been enough.
If He had entered Jerusalem on a humble donkey,
received as King by those who cried “Hosanna,”
it would have been enough.
If He had broken bread with His disciples,
offering Himself as the bread of life,
it would have been enough.
If He had gone to the cross and died for our sins,
giving His life in love for all mankind,
it would have been enough.
If He had been laid in the tomb,
and we had known the depth of His sacrifice,
it would have been enough.
But He did not stop there.
He rose again on the third day,
defeating death and offering eternal life,
and this is more than enough.
He ascended to the Father,
and sent His Spirit to dwell within us,
and this is more than enough.
He walks with us still,
in every sorrow, every joy, every quiet moment,
and this is more than enough.
Out here, where the land is simple and the sky feels endless, it’s to overlook what we’ve been given. We wait for the next thing, the bigger thing, and the answered prayer we can see and hold.
And yet… if He never did another thing, it would have been enough.
If all He’d done was love us, it would’ve been enough.
But He didn’t stop there.
He gave us everything.
Today, I continue to choose to live a little differently. Noticing more, I’ll give thanks sooner and rest in the quiet truth that I’m already deeply, completely loved.
And that… is more than enough.
