I know moms that schedule their days in 30 minute increments and others who take each day as it comes. I know moms who can't function without a fair amount of structure and others who feel stressed by schedules and to-do lists.

Do you know which type of mom you are? I think that I'm somewhere in the middle. I'm more of a routine kind of gal than a stringent schedule keeper. The more that I can get the boys to take responsibility for staying on track, the happier I am though, so that does require me to at least do a little planning ahead.

No matter if your day is staying on schedule or if it careens wildly off course, you can just ask the Lord for guidance, take one step at a time, and as Elisabeth Elliot says, "Do the next thing."

I leave you with a poem that she often quoted.

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."

Enjoy every minute!

Deborah Wuehler is the senior editor for The Old Schoolhouse^® Magazine. She resides in Roseville, California, with her husband Richard. They are the parents of eight children: three teenagers, three elementary, a preschooler, and a baby. They have been homeschooling since the birth of their firstborn who is now graduated from high school. Many of her articles can be found on www.Crosswalk.com, and many other homeschooling sites. She is a group leader in her local homeschooling support organization and she loves digging for buried treasure in the Word, reading, writing, homeschooling, and dark chocolate! Email her at senioreditor@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com.