One of my favorite authors, Elisabeth Elliot, quoted this poem, and I love the wisdom of it.
I was reminded of it recently as I find myself struggling with hazy answers to overwhelming questions in so many areas, so I wanted to share it here.
“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 love those words. When you don’t know what to do, do the next thing…when all you know to do is the laundry, do the laundry. But do it immediately and prayerfully, and doubts will be quiet, and guidance will be given.
I would love to find myself in “the rest of His calm… safe ‘neath His wing.”
Oh, the sleep would be good there.
Memorize it with me?
I would but it's kind of long so I just made up my own. (Ahem)<br />Some times when I'm happy,<br />at those times I sing.<br />Some times when I'm sad<br />I just do the next thing.<br />One time I found someone<br />with Caribbean eyes<br />And when I found her,<br />I made her my prize.<br /><br />(Brilliant) 😉