This has been a favorite saying of mine from Elisabeth Elliot and I thought we could use a little encouragement from her words today. The saying comes from an old Saxon legend as she shares below:
Have you had the experience of feeling as if you've got far too many burdens to bear, far too many people to take care of, far too many things on your list to do? You just can't possibly do it, and you get in a panic and you just want to sit down and collapse in a pile and feel sorry for yourself.
Well, I've felt that way a good many times in my life, and I go back over and over again to an old Saxon legend, which I'm told is carved in an old English parson somewhere by the sea. I don't know where this is. But this is a poem which was written about that legend. The legend is “Do the next thing.” And it's spelled in what I suppose is Saxon spelling. “D-O-E” for “do,” “the,” and then next, “N-E-X-T.” “Thing”-“T-H-Y-N-G-E.”
~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.”
~ Author Unknown
My prayer for you today is that in the midst of overwhelming piles and to do items that you will trust in the One who knows all things and with a faithful heart just “Do the Next Thing”.
Related Resources:
Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot
Marla says
atI’ve heard her teach this and needed the reminder this morning especially! Thank you!
Linda Sears says
atDo the next thing – sometimes that’s all I can do, and that is enough. I had to pop over from The Better Mom when I saw your title — I included this phrase in my own post today!
Thank you for sharing the full poem here. I enjoyed it very much.
Anonymous says
atI love the pretty journal full of lists?! What wisdom is here! My husband was just encouraging me with this same kind of ‘can do’ attitude because I’ve bit a bit overwhelmed lately! Thank you! CC in VA
Amy says
atYour title drew me in because she is one of my favorite people on Earth. Thank you for sharing!
Found you over at Raising Mighty Arrows!
Amy
Meghan Carver says
atI’ve never heard that story before. Life is overwhelming at times, and I appreciate the encouragement this morning!
Modern Day Disciple says
atOne of my favorite all time quotes by a favorite Christian Writers! She said this at a speaking engagement I was blessed to be at in 1998 and I wrote down every word, still have the notes!