text of forwarded message follows:
>From: Larry Hall <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>>August 26, 2013
>>I do not  Want to Pick Up Any More Socks
>>Karen Ehman
>>
>>She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of
>>idleness. Proverbs 31:27 (ESV)
>>As a teen I loved hanging out at Miss Pat's house. Hands down, she 
>>made the best homemade noodles in the Midwest. Often you could find 
>>the creamy white
>>strips of flour, milk and eggs drying on her kitchen counter, 
>>waiting to be tossed in a simmering pot of chicken soup.
>>  Or you might find a fresh fruit pie cooling near an open window, 
>> making her family eager for suppertime.
>>Miss Pat took all aspects of her home life seriously. Her house wasn't
>>perfect. Still, she kept it cute and clean and made it a haven for her own
>>family and others.
>>With as much energy as Miss Pat devoted to homemaking, you might think that
>>was all she did. But it wasn't. She was also active outside her home,
>>including volunteering at her kids' school, teaching a weekly women's Bible
>>study and serving as a youth group leader. Her love for Jesus was evident as
>>she introduced numerous teens and women to Christ, including me.
>>However, she reserved her greatest energy and most creative ideas for her
>>first line of ministry-her own family and home. Miss Pat modeled how to
>>influence others for Christ not only with the words we speak, but also the
>>heart with which we run our home.
>>Sitting around her kitchen table, I learned Miss Pat's secret for getting
>>things done. She had a method for doing laundry ... a routine for her
>>cleaning ... a game plan for getting groceries ... and a cheerful attitude
>>while doing it all. In fact, now that I'm older, I think she modeled the
>>Proverbs 31 woman very well.
>>Proverbs 31:27 tells us about an unnamed wife and mother (often referred to
>>as the Proverbs 31 woman) who worked like this. "She looks well to the ways
>>of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."
>>Now that I have my own home and family, I'm inspired by these women.
>>Especially during those times I find it easier to be idle rather than tackle
>>work around the home. The snapshots of organized spaces and fabulous foods
>>on my computer screen tempt me to spend hours peering at them rather than
>>doing them.
>>When running my home seems overwhelming, I remember Miss Pat and the
>>Proverbs 31 woman. Instead of hoping the house cleans itself or a hot meal
>>materializes out of the computer, I'm learning to make a plan and get to
>>work. It's helpful to keep the mindset that it's a ministry to care for my
>>home and family.
>>This perspective helps me pick up my son's socks and make dinner without
>>frustration. It gives me strength when I've already put in a full day's
>>work. While I am doing these things for my family, I'm also doing them for
>>God.
>>There's no doubt that making our house a home, and all that involves, can be
>>tiring. We need to balance true rest with work, while being on guard against
>>laziness and resentful attitudes. Important questions to ask ourselves are:
>>Am I laboring with a glad heart or do I grumble about the tasks at hand? Do
>>I view keeping a home as a duty or drudgery, or do I find it a privilege and
>>pleasure? Am I in need of rest, or am I putting off what has to be done
>>because I just don't feel like doing it?
>>Being an intentional homemaker is a tough yet rewarding job. We get to serve
>>important people-our very own families.
>>And the Boss? He's the best. What an honor it is to work for Him.
>>Dear Lord, teach me to look well to the ways of my household and 
>>not be idle, knowing it is actually You I am serving.
>>  In Jesus' Name, Amen.
>>
>>I'm in my own little world, but that is  ok everybody knows me here!
>
text of forwarded message ends:

John