Do The Next Thing

A few simple words from a very wise woman:

Getting back into schoolwork is tough after any break (does anyone ever wonder if there's a way to get rest without experiencing a set-back with school? How can you take a break without it being hard to come back into regular school work?). These last couple of weeks of classes are pushing me. That's a good thing, I think. I haven't even written out a to-do list because I don't want to see everything compiled together on one page.

So I'm taking Elisabeth Elliot's advice: just do the next thing. One step at a time. Write one paragraph. Read one page. Work on a project until it's done.

16 more days and I'll be done for the semester - that's encouraging!

The quote shows up in a poem in one of Elisabeth's newsletters, by an unknown author. These lines strike me on this December evening...

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 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. 

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.
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing!
Then, as He beckons thee, DO THE NEXT THING.