Growing up in my family meant you could count on a few things: you were gonna make your bed before leaving the house, there were always chores to do, and nothing above a PG rating was on the TV. Period. You could take those things “to the bank”. I wasn’t a fan of making my bed (especially during those years of sharing a bed with Melinda). I absolutely hated chores (especially when it was my turn to dust the woodwork). And although I happily watched Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, and Hee Haw, I was fairly certain I was missing out on all the good stuff my friends and their families were watching.
I’ve obviously been an adult for many years now and I’d like to tell you that my attitude changed. But that would probably be a lie. Truth be told, I still don’t like making my bed, dusting the woodwork, or any of those other things that need to be done. But I do them because it’s the right thing to do. Every time my husband tries to shortcut on the hospital corners, I push him out of the way (not too hard) and say, “Just let me do it”. He insists it isn’t important; meanwhile, I just need to be sure that if we’re robbed while we’re gone that the bed is properly made. (Ladies, tell me I’m wrong.)
Every single day, we’re faced with choices; some easier than others. Some of them are almost effortless. Others we ponder until we’ve worn a hole in the floor. But doing the next right thing sets the tone for so much in our lives. Doing the next right thing has the ability to lay a firm foundation or erode the very spot we’re standing on.
It might be washing the dishes by hand instead of putting them in the dishwasher (trust me on this one). Maybe it’s being nice to your neighbor despite feeling a bit of anger or resentment. Could it be simply getting up and going to work in the face of life’s crashing waves?
Life is a lot about doing the next right thing which is often the hard thing. That’s the plain truth. But with each choice, each action, each word, I find peace. I find relief. I find joy. I find Him. That’s why. Just do that next right, next hard, thing. I have yet to regret it.
I Corinthians 10:31 ~ So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.