Do The Next Thing

"Do The Next Thing"

As quoted by Elisabeth Elliot

"At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
there came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
that, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
like a low inspiration, 'Do the next thing.'

Many a questioning, many a fear,
many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
time, opportunity, guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrow, child of the King,
trust that with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer,
do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
leave all resultings, do the next thing.

 

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
working or suffering be thy demeanor,
in His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
the light of His countenance, be thy psalm.
Do the next thing." 

I was inspired to find this whole poem after reading this link which I came to through this link and I found it in whole here.  I hope it inspires you as it did me.  I am so often frozen with analysis paralysis, overwhelmed thoughts, letting thoughts of failed "perfection" cause me to throw my hands up into the air before ever attempting what I know I must do, from the pile of dirty dishes to setting up a website to asking forgiveness.  It is often far simpler than I make it.  The hardest part is getting over my own selfish thought process.

So, I'm now going to go finish folding the three loads of laundry and actually put them away in their drawers.  And I'm going to thank God for clothes, for a washing machine and for my family that wears them as I fold!

What is your next thing?