When you don’t know what to do… just do the next thing!
Have you ever been in a place that you just didn’t know what to do? Your stress level was off the charts and anxiety was kicking in?
I remember before we moved into our new house, I would daydream of what it was going to be like. I would imagine my day; from waking up, getting the kids off to school, cooking supper, to what our evening routine would look like. This move was a huge step for us and it was going to make everything perfect! …Boy was I wrong!
Our life was a little stressful at that time and I had this concept in my head that once we moved we were going to live “happily ever after”. We had been looking for a house for several years and we finally found the one. It was beautiful, in a fantastic location, big yard and even had a pool. The Lord was truly blessing us with a new home. Many pieces had to fit into the puzzle to make this happen and we were so excited to actually be moving. However, my concept, of how smooth everything was going to run, was a fairy tale.
I won’t go into all the details, but things happened. So many things that we wondered if we had missed God’s direction. Had we made the wrong decision? We came to many crossroads of not knowing what to do next. Have you been there? My anxiety got so bad that I ended up in the doctor’s office having a minor melt down. I felt broken, hopeless, lost, and mad. This was not the way it was supposed to be!
But God’s ways are not our ways, and His timing is not our timing. I learned so much during this season in my life. My faith grew and my relationship with the Lord got stronger. He taught me to trust Him with the Big things and the Little things. He showed me how to “just do the next thing”.
What CAN I do?
When so many things seem out of control it is hard to stay grounded. It feels like everything is spinning around you and can be overwhelming. It was in those times I would stop and think, “What CAN I do?”. A lot of times the answer to that question… was laundry.
There weren’t many things I had any control over, but I always had laundry to do (we have a family of five – four are girls). I know it sounds silly, but laundry got me through the days that I didn’t know what to do. It gave me something to focus on. I would put the clothes in the washer then find something to clean until they were done. Then switch them to the dryer and find something else to do. Once they were dry I would sort, fold, and put away. I would pray for our family and our situation as a folded each person’s clothes. By then it was time to pick the kids up from school and I had made it another day.
When you are going through a difficult season in life, find that one thing you can focus on. It may be cleaning, or yard work, or a project at your job. Or maybe there is something at your church you can focus on. Visit with your pastor and leaders and let them know you are willing to help. You might have a calling to help teach Sunday School, Children’s Church, or even sing with the Worship Team. Whatever it is you find to do…do it with all your heart.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…
Ecclesiastes 9:10