Elizabeth Elliot’s words “Just do the next thing” still ring in my ears even after many years.  “And if you don’t know what to do, do the thing in front of you,” she reminds us.   In my world the “next thing” is often to simply  clean the kitchen, prepare dinner or get the laundry started. For the homeschool mom the next thing is often a reading or math lesson.  At times, it may be something more meaningful like a profound discussion or worldview lesson. These talks are often the best part of homeschooling because we have the opportunity to pass down our values and worldview to our precious children.  We are mentoring the next generation. How amazing is that!  Today my boys and I talked about the meaning behind the wonderful hymn Down From His Glory.

Instead of holding down a “real” job  we homemakers do manage to keep busy doing the next thing…everyday. Instead of giving our time to a company, office job or personal career our investment is in our home and family.  Our time is devoted to teaching our children and building a happy family life.

A list to reference can be  helpful when overwhelmed by all the details of a daily life. I hope you enjoy reading over this list.  Perhaps your list would look completely different than mine.  I’m curious…what would you have on your list?  ~Anne

A .  Adore God (Worship Him in all you do)

B.   Be a listener (especially when your children want to talk)

C.   Clean

D.   De-clutter  (a shelve, a drawer, a corner)

E.   Exercise (even if it is just 15 minutes)

F.   Floss  (enough said)

G.  Good deed (Anything at all)

H.  Healthy meals

I.    Ignore and shrug off insults

J.    Journal or Post

K.   Kiss Your Husband

L.   Lists  (Prepare and check off)

M.  Memorize Verse,  Spanish Word, Quotation etc.

N.   Notice progress and acknowledge it

O.   Organize something

P.    Praise God all day long

Q.   Quiz verbally (Vocab,  History etc.)

R.   Rebel against evil

S.    Sing

T.   Teach

U.   Use left-overs

V.   Vitamins

W.  Walk & Water

X.   Xanthippe (Don’t be an ill Tempered woman)

Y.  Yield to God (Submit to God)

Z.   Be Zealous about sharing Christ with others