I started home schooling yesterday. This year I have a college student (doing college on his own), and 8th grader, a 5th grader, a 3rd grader, a 1st grader, a kindergartener, a two year old and a 3 month old. There were moments yesterday when I felt literally panicked. “I will NEVER be able to do this for ONE DAY let alone 9 MONTHS!!” That is how I felt. But a quiet voice told me to “do the next thing” and leave the rest alone. I learned that from Elizabeth Elliot many years ago. It comes in handy. A lot. Here is the poem she wrote by that title, and HERE is a link to a radio broadcast where she talks a little about that concept.
A poem quoted by Elisabeth Elliot
Do The Next Thing“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.”
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