Work with Souls

"Here is the pattern for all who would do God's work with souls: faithful giving of the Word, a heart true and pure in seeking God's glory, gentleness, self-giving, and plain hard work." (Elisabeth Elliot)

This has been on my mind lately. We are still at my parent's farm and staying over nights at my grandfather's home in Milledgeville. I recognize that I have received great help while here. I haven't cooked as much nor cleaned, and my mom has washed most of our laundry. In fact, I feel pretty spoiled. It's not that I am just letting her take care of everything. . . but the load shared has been much easier. As she cleans up from the meal I am cleaning children and taking T potty. I'm weeding the garden while she does laundry. The children and I are having circle time while she prepares a meal. I am working on things that are needful- and so appreciate that her hard work is making things much smoother.

My heard yearns to go home. I'm missing B. I miss my own back porch, my garden, my yard. I miss my friends and neighbors and church. I miss sitting on my couch, eating my food, folding my laundry while I listen to voice messages.

When I think of returning home it makes me laugh a little. It seems humorous that I would want to go back to more work. And yet, I do. Because I know that it is hard work to raise a family. It's a lot of chores. But it is also faithful giving of the Word, gentle instruction, and giving up myself for God's glory. I long to return to our family routine, to our pattern of life. I know it will be more work, but it is work that I embrace. The household chores are just a very small piece of the work that I am called to; serving my family in love and self-giving. Oh, that God would bless the work of my hands!