The Next Thing (11/18/2025)

Recently, things have been a bit hectic with lots of surprises, some not as good as others. I must admit, on a scale of overload from 1-10, this past week has felt like a nine. Last evening, as I shared the last two chapters of 1 Corinthians with a group at our parish, I felt both the joy of the scriptures and the regret of knowing the study was over. While there would be no fretting about being prepared next week, there also would be no faith sharing with friends. And it made me sadder than I’d anticipated.

Then after I went to bed, the pizza I shouldn’t have had reminded me of my bad decision. I fought with the acid reflux until 2 a.m. telling myself I had no one but myself to blame. When I got up this morning and went to the porch, the damp cold woke me up quickly. I realized too late that my “really?” was a pretty negative read on the gift of another day. So, I quickly uttered an “I’m sorry, LORD.”

As I sat on my porch in prayer trying to process things as well as pray, trying to give thanks for what has been and praying for the grace for what will be, I got a text from a dear and precious friend who sends me “thoughts” daily. And the first one hit me: “Sometimes life is so hard you can only do the next thing. God is already there.”  I let out a long and audible sigh acknowledging the providence. God writes straight with crooked lines. Just as I’m feeling “stressed,” the LORD reaches out to me through the thoughtfulness of a friend.

And so, I sat a bit longer than usual on my porch this morning. I had a lot to consider, especially how the LORD had been with me the whole time, always was, always will be. I had to admit to moments of “I’ll do it myself” when the LORD has been trying to help.  And I asked the LORD quite frankly when I was going to finally get it right. Yep, I’m not a done muffin yet.

And once again I realized how when the going gets tough, I tend to circle the wagons, buckle down, and push the Spirit away. “I can do this,” is my familiar mantra, and I can do it…with the Holy Spirit. When the going gets rough, that’s not the time to go solo, I reminded myself, that is the very time to open myself to the grace and gifts and love the Spirit is trying to give me.  Why are the most important lessons in life the ones we must repeat frequently?

And so, I apologize to those who are used to the blog being posted earlier. I was in a meeting…a very important meeting with the LORD. And He asked me to say “hello” and to mention that wherever you are, He’s already there.

As we continue our journeys in faith, buoyed by hope in the LORD’s promises made and kept, and fueled by His love that is both sustaining and transformative, let us tackle “the next thing” with courage knowing we are not alone…we never have been.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.