Scrubbed Pan Prayers



The next right thing.

You know those days when you feel a bit out of sorts and most everything feels out of whack?  The days you’d like to just chunk all of the drafts and start from scratch because not one single thing has followed the script of your head and heart?

Those are “next right thing” days.

I’m convinced that sometimes what God seems “right” really is simply the next right thing.  It’s not nearly as hard as we make it out to be.

Sometimes it’s doing the dishes.

Sometimes it’s being gracious with a smile.

Other times it’s waking up early to get in some time with Him.

Every time it’s listening to that quiet voice.  That nudge in our gut.  That Holy Spirit quickening of our spirit that says, “Just take this step.”

The action of doing the next right thing may seem so simplistic, but I think that’s by design.   

See, God knew I’d pray the best prayers while scrubbing a dish pan. 

He knew sometimes my only prayer would be a tired smile given to another, and He knew that prayer would cover ground that my words simply couldn’t reach.

He knew sometimes the best thing I could do before a difficult “next right thing” would be to wake for extra time with Him.

He knew and He left me the most beautiful gift to nudge me to the next right thing. This prompting that never leaves me. This love that always has my best in mind. This Holy Spirit that is my personal companion through every next right thing, lovingly leading me to it.

The next right thing is my ongoing invitation to the Father to move in my life.  James 5:16 says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”  God likes pairing up our prayer lives and righteousness.

Is that for Him? No, not at all.

It’s for us.  It’s about shaping our lives to be more like Jesus so that our hearts can handle what heaven has for us.  If we are living in sin upon sin, it would be so hard to recognize the Father’s voice.  He wants to give us this clear, uncluttered ground for hearing His heart.

There are dishes to be washed, friends.

There are smiles to be freely given.

There are prayers to be prayed.

There’s a God who is waiting with bated breath to receive and answer each one.

The next right thing.  It’s for you.

Copyright © 2018 by Christie Aitken. All rights reserved. 


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