The Next Right Thing
The start of the new year brings more anxiety than excitement sometimes. I’ve barely just given myself a pat on the back for surviving a dysfunctional family holiday season, and now I’ve got to turn around and pick goals, and words, and set intentions. I'M NOT READY YET.
To those of you who have your lives together, congratulations. I would like to formally applaud you. For those of us who are just simply trying to hold it together, let me put a little plug in your ear. Maybe we don’t have to start 2024 with, “guns a blazing.” And don’t get me wrong. There was a time in my life when my planner was at the ready. I set goals, did detoxes, and started workout plans. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of that. But in the last three years, my life has changed dramatically, I’ve changed dramatically, and my approach has had to change too. If you’re anything like me, and you’re a little overwhelmed and have so many things running through your head of what you should do and what you could do, let me set you free friend and just tell you to start with today. Sometimes it’s hard for me to think of the next month, the next year, or the next five because the pain of who’s missing from the goals I’ve made or the plans I’ve dreamed up outweighs the excitement of what’s to come. And on days like today when I just don’t have it in me to tell the fear and the grief to go straight to hell, I look for the next right thing.
Today, that looks like doing all my laundry and organizing the closet. I’ve made one space in my place a little less chaotic. And I can think a little more clearly. Tomorrow, I’m going to plan my lunches for the week. But I’m taking it one step, one thing, one day at a time because that’s what I need right now, and that’s okay. God is ever faithful, and whether I have the next step, or the next five, He’ll be with me every step of the way. Giving me the strength to put one foot in front of the other, to make good decisions, to love the people around me, to make the most of where He’s placed me right here, right now in 2024. Let me leave you with this beautiful poem I read today by Elisabeth Elliot.
“Many a questioning, many a fear
Many a doubt, hath it’s 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 resulting. Do the next thing”
You have permission to take your time. You don’t have to jet off into this year. Just start moving, start walking, and before you know it you’ll be flying straight to the next right thing.
Sincerely,