Thanks John.  I needed that reminder.

Jackie

At 11:49 AM 2013-08-26, you wrote:
>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