If you're a long-time reader of my blog, you know how different it used to be. I used to be the queen of schedules, routines, organizing, and planning. I blogged almost every day and I had some advice about everything! HAHAHA! This past year has taught me that I ain't the queen of nuthin! First we moved across the country to a tiny house, then my husband deployed, then I had a baby making for 3 under 3, four 4 and under, six 7 and under! Add to that an onslaught of sickness, emergencies, and having to take everyone everywhere--I very quickly lost control. He has been gone almost 11 months now and I have yet to get control back. In fact, it's worse than ever!I still have routines and goals for my day that I strive for, but most days it's just a matter of simply surviving. I'm just glad to have made it though each day having the basics done, which means food in their bellies and clothes on their bodies (well, except for the 2-year-old. They'll never wear clothes!).
I find so much encouragement in that old line from a poem we've all heard, "Do the next thing." Elisabeth Elliot's daughter Valerie said it perfectly, "Don't sit down and think of all the things you have to do. That will kill you. It's overwhelming. It's daunting if you think of all the things that are involved in a task. Just pick up the next thing."
My favorite lines of this poem are posted in my kitchen:
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.
Read the entire poem here.
Read Elisabeth Elliot's Back to the Bible broadcast where she discusses this poem. It is such an encouragement and one I go back to over and over again.
Now it's time for me to do the next thing--give these kids a bath and put them to bed!
