Our crazy summer is segueing into a different-kind-of-crazy fall. Schedule? What schedule! Every day is a surprise waiting to unfold. I’m thrilled to help Kelsey get in her stride as a new mom and be a part of Harvey’s little life. I am working on a shower and wedding for Kerry (event planning is not my strong suit). The lessons I learned this summer are proving to be essential this fall.

One of the biggest lessons God taught me was to trust Him while living step-by-step. This past summer we had lots going on at the same time—wedding planning, niece and nephew staying with us, pregnant daughter then baby. I had no days where I could reserve a chunk of time to focus on any one thing.

I learned to use what I had to get done what I needed to get done.

First, I used small amounts of time. Make a phone call. Do one errand instead of five. Send one email. Bake a few cookies and put the rest of the dough in the fridge to bake another day. God instructs the Hebrews to take their Promised Land “little by little” (Exodus 22:30). It’s how we get important stuff done, stay sane, and most importantly be present and connected with those most important to us.

Secondly, I snagged that time when I saw the opportunity instead of wasting it or saying it wasn’t enough. I’m often tempted to think I don’t have enough time so I won’t start it now. Instead I check Facebook or any number of things that are not refreshing or productive. I didn’t have time to waste this summer. I was amazed how much I accomplished when I made the most of my moments.

I also had to throw away my default thinking of “how will I ever get all this done.” I can easily become overwhelmed when I have lots to do and I can’t see where I will find the time. God switched out my old mantra to His new one, “I don’t know how, but I know God will.” God never failed to miraculously help me accomplish what needed to be done and without stress or angst.

One last lesson God showed me this summer was to quit talking about it and just start. I often talk a job to death before I start it for the above listed reasons—waiting for more time, overwhelmed, etc. God prompted me to start in a small way. Buy the fabric. Another day—cut it out. Before the wedding I wanted to replace our coffee bar with a beverage bar (pic above). The small fridge would allow our guests to better serve themselves in our small kitchen. Right away Gene found a piece of furniture and rebuilt it to house the fridge. I kept finding other urgent things to do and didn’t get right to painting the fridge with chalkboard paint. One Sunday afternoon I told my niece and nephew we could either take out the kayaks or paint the fridge. My niece chose the fridge. Her enthusiasm made me see the importance of “just doing it”! We painted the fridge that Sunday, gave it a second coat on Monday and on Tuesday my niece wrote the “menu” that you see in the picture above. That’s what I call gettin’ it done!

So what do you need to tackle? I’d love to hear how you apply what God taught me by taking life step-by-step.

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.