Do the next thing...

I have heard this wisdom from author, Elizabeth Elliot. By far, one of my most favorite Christian authors. Anything written by her, I say READ IT!

Do the next thing.

Just do it. When you don't feel like it. When you are unsure. When you are at your wits end. When you don't know what to do. And especially WHEN you are depressed.

Do the next thing.... hearing this over and over in my head, would get me out of bed, to the breakfast table, change a diaper, fill the sippy cup, give a hug, stop a fight, start a load of laundry... all the things my mind and body were refusing to do.

And slowly over time, after you do the next thing, then the next thing and the next, it would then be time for bed. And I would think, "you made it!"

It's so sad living like this. And as the fog of depression is slowly lifting, for which I am so grateful to God, I still have to do the next thing. But I also want it to be HIS next thing, not mine. Through the depression, there were times when I could not pray. My brain and body didn't have the energy to do the simplest thing. And yet, God knows. He sees the tears, the hurt, the depression. And when I couldn't speak to Him, He would speak to me. What a blessing.

Today, I found the poem.... Do the next thing. And I was amazed and startled and humbled by the poem. My mind will now think so much more, when I think, do the next thing.

Truly, an answer to prayer. Yes, I can now pray. Thank you Jesus!

“Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment my moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, guidance, are given.
Fear not tomorrows, Child of the King,
Trust them 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.’”
–author unknown