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EP 80: Do the Next Thing {A Reminder from Elisabeth Elliot}

by Marci Ferrell
Biblical Womanhood Christian Living Podcast

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"Do the Next Thing" has been a favorite saying of mine from Elisabeth Elliot and I thought we could use a little encouragement from her words today.  @mferrell

 

My heart can get too easily overwhelmed when my task list begins to look longer than the hours in my day. I'm sharing a favorite saying I remind myself that I first heard from Elisabeth Elliot, “Do the Next Thing.” The poem where Mrs. Elliot first heard those words was written by Mr. George A. Paull (scroll a bit from the beginning of the book linked), and it was from a book written by Eleanor Amerman Sutphen titled, Ye Nexte Thynge.

You can read part of the episode below (5 minutes) or listen in the to podcast (17 minutes)

Listen to the Podcast Below or Subscribe on Your Favorite App:

 
 

Related Links:

Learning from Elisabeth Elliot: A List of Resources

Do the Next Thing Radio Transcript from Gateway to Joy

Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot 

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.”

~ Mrs. George A. Paull

 

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

The Essence of Feminity

Are We Too Busy?

 

Related posts:

  1. Learning from Elisabeth Elliot: A List of Resources
  2. EP 82: Encouraging Your Husband {Elisabeth Elliot’s 80/20 Rule}
  3. Journaling Tips from Elisabeth Elliot
  4. EP 81: Elisabeth Elliot on Hints for a Quiet Time


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« EP 79: Homemaking Matters: A Good God Working Out His Purposes in the Midst of Our Ordinary Days
EP 81: Elisabeth Elliot on Hints for a Quiet Time »

Comments

  1. Eugenia McQueen says

    at

    Elisabeth Elliot has been my mentor / spiritual heroine for years. I was blessed once to have her and Lars in my home for a few hours. I have ALL of her books and a document of specific quotes that have taught and blessed me with truth! I so love hearing that she is your heroine, as well.
    I hope you are aware that Gateway to Joy can be heard every day on BBN.org, Bible Broadcasting Network.
    Your podcasts are blessings to me. Thank you!

  2. Betty Russell says

    at

    I have recently subscribed to your blog, I am so happy I found you. Elizabeth Elliot is one of my favorite Christian writers & leaders. She has been gone awhile I know but I still remember the broadcasts I heard every morning. She was so full of grace and God’s wisdom. I look forward to your e-mails. This is a lonely time for many who are isolated due to the virus and we need your encouragement in these trying times. God is alive & his ears are a tuned to our cry (Psalms 34:15) & we must remember that each day. Betty

  3. Marla says

    at

    I’ve heard her teach this and needed the reminder this morning especially! Thank you!

  4. Linda Sears says

    at

    Do 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.

  5. Anonymous says

    at

    I 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

  6. Amy says

    at

    Your 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

  7. Meghan Carver says

    at

    I’ve never heard that story before. Life is overwhelming at times, and I appreciate the encouragement this morning!

  8. Modern Day Disciple says

    at

    One 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!

Welcome to Thankful Homemaker

So thankful you’ve stopped by for a visit. Please grab a cup of coffee or tea and sit a bit. I hope to remind you that contentment in our role as homemakers begins with finding our satisfaction in Christ.

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Marci Ferrell
"Rather than mourning over sin, the world redefine "Rather than mourning over sin, the world redefines it, or worse, celebrates it."⁣
~ John MacArthur
There is no heart God cannot conquer.⁣ There is There is no heart God cannot conquer.⁣
There is no life He cannot change.⁣
There is no past He cannot forgive.⁣
~ Steve Lawson
What does it look like to live a fruitful life in What does it look like to live a fruitful life in the empty nest years?  What do I do now? What does my day-to-day life look like? Am I needed anymore? These are questions that raced through my mind as the empty nest season approached and was quickly upon me.⁣
⁣
Come listen in to Fruitful Living in the Empty Nest Years at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
"A Christian home should be a place of peace, and "A Christian home should be a place of peace, and there can be no peace where there is no self-denial."⁣
~ Elisabeth Elliot⁣
⁣
Quote is taken from EP 102: Blessed are the Peacemakers - link to listen is in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
"How much misery we would avoid if we permitted “the peace of Christ” to umpire in our hearts. How many words we would hold back if he were the arbitrator in our lives. How many sleepless nights we would forego if we did that. How the Church needs this too, “since as members of one body you were called to peace.”⁣
~ R. Kent Hughes⁣
⁣
The above quote is taken from EP 102: Blessed are the Peacemakers - link to the episode is in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image). ⁣
⁣
⁣
#sermononthemount #martynlloydjones #matthew5:9 #peacemakers  #Mathew 5-7
I’m so thankful to get to be part of this most e I’m so thankful to get to be part of this most excellent conference this year 😍. Please head over and follow @openheartsinaclosedworld to keep updated on all the details of this free online conference for Christian women 🥰
Posted @withregram • @openheartsinaclosedworld “Open Hearts in a Closed World” is an online conference that exists to bring glory to God and proclaim Christ crucified through teaching the word of God to women. 

We are a reformed and biblical ministry that strengthens women to live out the truths of Scripture in their lives.This year’s theme is “Reverence in Radical Times”. 

Will you be attending? Leave us a comment and make sure you tell  your friends to follow us here.

💗y’all Open Hearts Gals!
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#openheartsinaclosedworld #womenintheword #deeplyrooted #reformedtheology #goodnewsfeed #truthinlove #solideogloria #wordbeforetheworld #graceupongrace #womenofgod #christfollowers #christianwomensconference #freeconference #ohcw2021 
#reverenceinradicaltimes
Next episode up in the Sermon on the Mount Series: Next episode up in the Sermon on the Mount Series:⁣
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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.⁣
~ Matthew 5:9⁣
⁣
To be a peacemaker we need to be at peace with God. It starts here. We must no longer be God's enemy. God is the supreme peacemaker and now as his children, we should resemble our Father and be peacemakers.⁣
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Come listen in to the episode at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)⁣
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#sermononthemount #martynlloydjones #matthew5:9 #peacemakers  #Mathew 5-7
Maturity and wisdom are not guaranteed as you get Maturity and wisdom are not guaranteed as you get older. They are contingent on a humble and teachable heart. ⁣
~ @costiwhinn
When I understand that everything happening to me When I understand that everything happening to me is to make me more Christlike, it resolves a great deal of anxiety. ⁣
~A.W. Tozer
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