Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Bread of Idleness...Not!!


Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again" has been my mantra this summer! And, it's not over yet! Come Friday morning, I'll be driving my way up to Concord, NC for the She Speaks '09 Conference!! I am so excited!!! But, I wanted to share a little with y'all about our trip to Tenn. this weekend!! Picture one shows the lovely mountainous curves through North Carolina that my Hubby adores! I am terrified as he pretends to be Richard Petty and hug the median walls!! Mercy!! This was taken through the windshield--I DID NOT hold my head out the window for this shot! I'm not that crazy!!

By the time we arrived, it was supper time. Munder (the boys' name for their Grandmother) had been in the kitchen all afternoon. I have to show y'all the fruits of her labor! Remember, she is another version of Paula Deen!!
This huge skillet of friend okra was completely demolished by the time my boys finished eating! It was out of this world! Do you think they have friend okra in Heaven? I surely hope so!
Child #2 couldn't wait, so he was sneaking some morsels before we ate!! To the left is our precious aunt Mil, Munder's sister--they are a hoot!!
Love this! There wasn't enough room at the kitchen table, so the boys got to eat on the back porch! Do any of y'all remember being put at the kids' table for big family meals? I do! My grandmama would spread newspapers out under the table in case someone spilled something on the rug!!
And this....this....beautiful slice of strawberry swirl cheesecake with a fruit topping of strawberries and powdered sugar and Heaven knows what else was the creme de la creme!! This was a Paula Deen recipe that took hours to prepare! And bless her heart, Munder did it! That is her gift--hospitality! I, on the other hand, would have called my sweet little friend Lori-who bakes--and asked her to make this for me!! I don't bake--it turns out yummy but ugly! It is not a gift of mine at all! But, that's ok!!

"We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And...never tire in doing what is right." 2 Thess. 3:11-13.

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27
The bread of idleness is not something that my Mother-in-love or I eat. Hands are always busy--sometimes too busy! Sometimes we need to clear our busy schedules and sit awhile in the Presence of God. He needs to show us where He wants us to be busy--and not busybodies! I loved that!! Y'all, things have not changed a whole lot in 2000 years!! Take a look at your summer schedule. Have you found time to rest in Christ in the past few weeks? Or, does it look and feel just as hectic as the school schedule? I encourage you to take time each day to sit at His feet and listen for Him. He's there..ready to meet you...but are you??

Hugs!

28 comments:

On Purpose said...

Dear Heavenly Father thank you for Susan and the work of her hands...for she works out of a heart that is overflowing with You. Fill her with more of Yourself and give her a great grace and love filled message for She Speaks this weekend! Bless her Lord and love all over her! Amen!

Chris said...

Hey Susan, what a great post. The last line "I encourage you to take time each day to sit at His feet and listen for Him. He's there..ready to meet you...but are you??" really hits home in that I feel like I don't slow down and listen enough. Many times I ask and then keep on moving never waiting to see what HE is saying I should do or what direction I should take. What good is my asking if I'm not going to listen for his will or direction?

Danielle said...

You are truly one busy woman, but I know that you take time to sit at His feet. Being in His presence radiates from you.

Praying for your safe journey... and all those like us who are attending SS.

Danielle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Danielle said...

You are truly one busy woman, but I know that you take time to sit at His feet. Being in His presence radiates from you.

Praying for your safe journey... and all those like us who are attending SS.

Unknown said...

Hi!! Just saw that you are planning to "run" on Saturday morning at the conference while at Rachel's blog. What time? I am truthfully more of a "walker mom," but need to take it up a notch. Let me know your plan. Looking forward to meeting you. Love,Tammy Nischan
606-316-4372 Just tell me you are the "runner mom!" How funny!! Love, tammy

Amy said...

Thank you for this beautiful reminder. Praying hat you have a safe and blessed trip to SS.
Blessings,
Amy

Sharon Sloan said...

Love the pix! What fun you had! Your mother-in-love seems awesome!

Oh -- so praying for She Speaks! Having twangs of missing it this year. Love you girls! Can't wait to read all about it!

Isabel said...

Great post...sounds like a great trip. Travel safely friend, see ya in a couple of days.

christy rose said...

Sitting at His feet! That is what I am all about! There is no better place to be and no better way to get your heart mended than laying all of your issues at His feet. Because there are so many great things that are the result of the time there other than the pure pleasure of being there. You stand up and are empowered to accomplish so much more than you ever could before without His strength and power given to you in His presence.
Great post Susan!

amykat said...

I so miss sitting at Jesus' feet daily....I hate to admit that lately, I've chosen the last few minutes of sleep over this precious time with the Lord. Thanks for the reminder of how sweet it is! I needed that!
See you at She Speaks!!
Amy Dalke

Melanie said...

Fried okra - yum, yum.
My 2 mamaws each made it differently but both were delicious! I like it boiled, too, and in gumbo, of course.

Have fun at She Speaks. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it from bloggers. I went last year and am so glad I did.
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Kelly said...

Your words were awesome today. I need to stop & rest in him...but I don't. I keep thinking "tomorrow I will."

Thanks for the kick in the pants! I needed it!

Laura said...

Oh! Do have fun at SheSpeaks! This will be the first one I miss in four years :( I'll be praying for all of you ladies (and the two men reputed to be there).

Blessings.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

One of the best parts of my summer was having you here! You're going to laugh at this...

Tonight I went running in my neighborhood. There were a couple of women sitting out in a driveway. When I finished, I stopped by for a chat. Never met them before. One of them asked me how often I ran and thought she might like to join me. The other woman chimed in "oh, she runs everyday ... even saw her a friend running out in the pouring rain one morning. She's crazy!"

I just had a big grin on my face and blamed you!

You're the best, and that cake? Oh my ... I need some of that TONIGHT!!!

peace~elaine

amykat said...

I get in on Friday @ 2:30......can't wait to meet you!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post. I sometimes forget to just be still and listen to what He has to say. Thank you~

Yolanda said...

For me, its the early mornings that I cherish so much that I spend with my Abba.

That okra looks delish! We've been enjoying the "fruits" of our garden. The first one we've had in 10 years. Monday evening we enjoyed a big batch of fried squash. Hmmm mmmmm. As well as bread & butter pickles that I had canned already. ;-) Enjoying that retirement.

Love to you,
Yolanda

Empty Nest Full Life said...

The Lord has been speaking to me about this very thing. Too much busyness, and not enough of sitting at His feet. I think we can be idle in God's eyes and from His perspective even in the midst of all of our busyness. Great message as always. Can't wait to hear all about the conference. Have a wonderful and safe time. Jackie

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Is the trim in your house painted or stained? What color did you paint your cabinets, and what color is your kitchen? What did you do about countertops? Type, Color? What is the style of your house? Our house is about 25 years old, and needs some updating. We added hardwood floors to the living, dining, and hallway year along with a new roof last fall, and my husband had a new water heater installed. The appliances all started conking out one right after the other, and that is when I chose the stainless. Love to hear from you when you get a chance. Jackie

Anonymous said...

What an awesome strory about your playhouse! I have always wanted one and when I see one in a yard I still get that fuzzy feeling inside. I guess that lil girl inside of me never wants to grow up....and you know what? That's just fine with me~

Gotta Run..... said...

Being at the "kids table" brings back great memories for me. That food looks YUMMY!!!!

I owe you a call... :)))

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Sure enjoyed reading about your trip. And I hope you have a great time at She Speaks! Maybe some day I will have the guts to try and go to something like that!

May you bless and be blessed this weekend is my prayer!

Marilyn....in Mississippi

Paula V said...

Love the pictures. I've never had fried okra. I had cooked okra as a kid and gagged at the sliminess.

Love Munder and Mil...hospitality is a gift for sure...one I wish I had but at times can make me very uncomfortable worrying over the comfort of guests.

Your grandmama is a hoot with the newspaper. She should've got some vinyl or hardwood. Ha!!! I had carpet in both dining room and kitchen table room in my old house.

Yes, I remember sitting at the kids table.

Ginger said...

What a great post! I do remember the kids' table. I remember too sneaking a few bites before the table was set...still do when I'm at Mama's. Just can't seem to help myself! The cake looked yummy...I'd have to have seconds on that one.

I wish I could have made it to the She Speaks Conference. That's something I'd love to do at some point...maybe next summer! It has been a really crazy schedule...I can totally relate. :)

The Nester said...

Hey Runnermom!

Got chills just reading the Concord, NC part--you are gonna be here soon!

Great reminder to rest in Him. That's the part I should have gotten chills with.

See you on Friday

xoxo

Susan said...

Oh Susan,

How special...

Thanks so much for sharing this visit with us.

Your mother in love seems like one very special woman of God.

Oh, I'm so excited about your upcoming trip! Enjoy, and let us all know how it goes.

Blessings to you my sweet friend♥

LauraLee Shaw said...

What a beautiful post, girl. Love it. Cannot WAIT to meet you. My flight will arrive around 2 pm on Fri, or something like that anyway...