Introduction

Now that we’ve turned the corner into November, the year seems to reach escape velocity—driving us forward toward a new one whether we’re ready or not. Thanksgiving feels just around the corner, and Christmas follows about fifteen minutes later.

Before the pace starts to pick up too much, I was inspired to pause and reflect—thanks to an episode of The Chosen my wife and I watched recently. In Season 5, Episode 4 (“The Last Supper”), the show beautifully portrays a Jewish tradition I had never truly noticed before: the Dayenu.

“Dayenu” means it would have been enough for us.

It’s a way of recounting God’s blessings, first used by the Jewish people to remember His deliverance during the Exodus. Each line reflects on something God did, followed by the recognition that if He had done only that and nothing more, it still would have been enough.

“If He had brought us out of Egypt, and had not carried out judgments on them — it would have been enough for us. Dayenu.”
“If He had carried out judgments on them and had not acted against their gods — it would have been enough for us. Dayenu.”

Traditional Hebrew Song for the Seder (Passover Meal)

It struck me that this would be a beautiful way to prepare my own heart for Thanksgiving—to look back on the ways God has blessed, rescued, and refined me over the years.

So, if you don’t mind, I’d like to share my own Dayenu.

It Would Have Been Enough for Me

If You gave me the breath of life—if You knit me together in my mother’s womb, fearfully and wonderfully made to fulfill Your purposes for me at this time in history—but You had not given me to my parents,
it would have been enough for me.

If You had given me to my parents, in a family that loved imperfectly but deeply, yet had not shown me the way to eternal life,
it would have been enough for me.

If You had broken through my hardened heart and prideful mind, leading me into a personal relationship with You, but had not continued shaping me daily into a man seeking Your ways,
it would have been enough for me.

If You had molded me into a better man, but had not lifted me from the deep pit of despair—when I believed I could never be loved again—
it would have been enough for me.

If You had led me across that broken road to the one true love of my life, but had not given us children to love and nurture,
it would have been enough for me.

If You had given us our first child, the one we prayed and pleaded for, but had chosen to call her home early (like we were afraid you were doing),
it would have been enough for me.

If You had allowed us to keep our daughter, but had not blessed us with any others,
it would have been enough for me.

If You had given us a family—three children to love and guide—each with their own gifts, challenges, and imperfections, but had not given us the wisdom and patience to raise them,
it would have been enough for me.

If You had given us extended family—parents, siblings, and children bound by laughter, love, and strength—but had not given us the ability to provide for them,
it would have been enough for me.

If You had given us work, skills, and opportunity to build a home, but had not blessed us with the deeper faith that comes from knowing You,
it would have been enough for me.

If You had walked with us through loss—through seasons of illness, confusion, and grief—but had not comforted us with the hope of eternity,
it would have been enough for me.

If You had surrounded us with friends who encourage, challenge, and support us, but had not taught us to forgive those who wound us,
it would have been enough for me.

If You had blessed us with beauty in nature—mountains, meadows, oceans, and sunsets—but had not opened our eyes to see Your hand in it all,
it would have been enough for me.

If You had given us Your Word, Your promises, and Your Spirit to guide us daily, but had not invited us to share Your love with others,
it would have been enough for me.

And if You had given us Your Son—Jesus, who lived, died, and rose again for us so we could spend eternity in heaven with you—and done nothing else at all,
it would have been enough for me.

A Reflection for Thanksgiving

As we head into the season of gratitude, maybe we all need a Dayenu moment—a time to pause and remember how richly God has blessed us.

Even if He had stopped after the first breath we took, it would have been enough.
Even if He had stopped after the cross, it would have been enough.
But He hasn’t stopped, and He never will.

So I encourage you: make your own Dayenu. Write down your list. Carry it with you. Read it often. Let it remind you that God’s goodness has been—and will always be—more than enough.