Just Do the Next Thing

Psalm 103:14;  Deuteronomy 33:27

Hello All ~

     “Just do the next thing…”  That’s my mantra these days.  If I listed all the areas that lacked and needed my attention I’d just tie a cement bag on my leg and jump into the St. Johns.  Well, of course I wouldn’t really do that but I’d feel like it.   My present life whirls on two speeds: fast and faster.  The barrages of duties and deadlines have added a few wrinkles to my face and probably some gray hair to my head. (I’m not sure about the gray because I don’t actually know my true hair color thanks to Lindsay my hairdresser)

      I’ve experienced other times in my 45 years of life that have required this same mental focus, forcing my mind not to delve into the future, but concentrate on just dealing with the next task.  A season much different than the one I face now; a season of despair and wounds.  A season of “I don’t want to get out of bed today… or ever”.  After my first husband left, I couldn’t imagine life alone.  Within that same year my parents were in a deadly car wreck that took my dad home to Heaven and left my mother in the hospital for days causing her to loose her job.  Those days threatened to paralyze me.  It was all I could do to open my eyes in the morning.  But I thank God for the advice I read in one of Elizabeth Elliot’s books.  Don’t worry about next week or even this afternoon.  Can you just get up and let the dog out?  Yes.  Can you just walk into the bathroom and brush your teeth?  Yes. I think I can do that, but what about… Just do the next thing. Don’t worry about 30 minutes from now…just do the next thing…and then the next thing…

     I don’t have time to elaborate.  My sticky note reminders wallpapered around me are calling me to the next thing!  Here is what I’m witnessing first hand in this season.  My only responsibility is to be obedient to God’s leading one moment at a time.  I’m learning afresh I cannot be everyone’s savior.  I cannot accomplish it all by myself.  But the good news is, I am not meant to do that. Neither are you.  I am called to obey one moment at a time.

     May you be encouraged today.  Whether your heart is broken or wrapped in a suffocating to –do list; just do the next thing.  While I don’t necessarily enjoy this type of living it does have its advantages.  In an odd way it’s quite freeing because there is no way in Heaven’s name you can survive without Him.  God’s got this.  You just do the next thing…   

“He knows our frame.  He remembers that we are dust Ps. 103:14 …underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27

Hope & Glory! to You ~

Rebecca