The
Apron Memoirs
Cherishing the Simple Beauty of Womanhood & God’s Design for Us
White swirls of lace adorn the rounded neckline. Two long
sashes join together in the back, tied in a crooked bow, strings hanging
loosely. Flour handprints and chocolate smudge designs blend into the vintage
floral pattern. A pocket hiding loose buttons, coins, sprinkles & crayon
bits are the grand finale to this work of art. It has been a witness to a life
well lived, a culture of joy and a home woven and spun with beauty and
simplicity. It has worn the tears of a little heart broken by an uncaring
world, it has been enveloped by laughter in the joy of young souls creating masterpieces,
it has been covered by the drool of a rosy cheeked babe nestled close to her
mother’s heart, it has been worn in preparation of a blessed visit from a
kindred spirit garnished with tea and sweet delicacies, it has been wrapped in
the arms of a beloved husband under a moonlit sky as a long day draws to an
end. It is not fancy. It is likely faded and worn. But is loved and cherished.
It is whimsy and homemade cookies and humming at the sink and fingerpaints and
a glass of lemonade all wrapped up in a simple smock. It is my mother. It is
me. It is you.
Week Two - The Motherhood Apron
The sound of the door
creaking, the heavy patter of small feet, the yipping of the dog, the babe lying at my side. My son was up long before the sun had cast out the
darkness of early morning. Another day had begun. The night had been spent with
my teething ten month old, only comforted and resting when nestled into my
body, using me as a pacifier. “Beckett, give mommy two minutes, Annabel is
nursing.” I whispered. He turned and ran through the bathroom, eager for the
start of a new day. I eased my arm out
from under the sleeping babe, and maneuvered (very stealth-like) out of the
bed. I picked up my daughter and moved her to the playpen nearby, she stirred
and began to cry, I grabbed my clothes and shuffled out of the room as quickly
and quietly as possible. By the time I shut the door she had fallen back to
sleep. Success!
I dressed
myself and pulled my desperately needing washed hair into a pony tail. A shower
would have to wait…maybe naptime. Oh how I dreamed of the hot water running
over my shoulders, eyes closed, totally relaxed, no little voices calling for
me. At the sound of my oldest daughter’s door opening I snapped back into
reality. She brushed past me, headed for the toilet. “Good morning, sweet
girl!” I said, putting on my most cheerful voice. She smiled sleepily, and greeted
me in return.
I made
my way into the kitchen, switching on the light, and grabbed the apron hanging
nearby. It was a deep violet color, with white polka dots. Lace trim created a V-neck
pattern on the rounded neckline. The skirt had layers of ruffles. I loved that
apron. It was comfortable, stylish and functional. If you stopped by my house
on a week day, you would probably find me wearing that apron…doing dishes,
teaching my children, doing a science experiment, cooking project, preparing
lunch or snuggling on the couch with a book. Just like every other morning, I
tied the apron around my waist and immediately felt ready to take on whatever
tasks that day might bring.
It was
second nature for me to wear an apron. Most of my childhood memories include my
mother wearing an apron. They are lovely memories of a blessed childhood. When
I became a mom, I knew I wanted to create those same memories for my children.
Aprons were a part of that. I have been accumulating a small collection of
aprons, and always love receiving new (to me) ones! I feel productive when I am
wearing an apron. I feel motherly, I feel feminine, I feel “me”.
I settled in at the kitchen table,
delving into God’s word and journaling my thoughts. As a stay at home,
homeschooling, mom, the apron feels like my breastplate of righteousness -
reminding me to live the holy and blameless life that God desires of me. Putting
it on each morning motivates me to breathe life into the day. To commune with
my Father, to selflessly give my time and pour my energy into developing the
hearts and minds of these precious little ones that God has entrusted in my
care. When weariness or laziness creep in, and I find myself relaxing on the
couch or surfing the net longer than I should, it is helpful to look down and
see the apron. It stares back at me, as if to say, “Enough dawdling, there is
work to be done!”
Have you found an “apron” to
motivate you to be purposeful about your day? I believe that God wants us to be
purposeful. He is not a slave-driver, or expecting perfection, but as mothers
we have been given a sacred gift in these souls that we have charge of. And we
have precious little time to make an impact on their lives – which ultimately
makes an impact on this world.
“She
looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of
idleness.”
Proverbs
31:27.
Mamas, I know that you may feel
weary and burnt out, and the days seem to drag on. Your house is finally peaceful
and calm; you fall asleep…only to start it all over again tomorrow. I have been
there. I am there. But we have a Father, who understands the burden and load of
motherhood. After all, He created it. And He wants to comfort you as a mother
comforts her child.
Isaiah 66:12 says, “You’ll nurse at her breasts, nestle in her
bosom, and be
bounced on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I’ll comfort you.”
Would you allow your Heavenly daddy to
pick you up and comfort you in those moments when you feel overwhelmed,
overworked and overtired? And then, when you wake up the next morning – put on
the breastplate of righteousness…put on a purple polka-dot apron!
Thanks for stopping by on Memoir Monday! Please leave a comment & share :)
What motivates you to be purposeful about your day?
Do you have a favorite apron/what does it look like?
What a beautiful post! I love the comparison of the apron to the breastplate of righteousness!
ReplyDeleteI love aprons as well. I have a favorite that I received from a friend who owns an etsy shop. My oldest daughter has one from there as well. :)
Stopping in from A Mama's Story. I'm a new follower!
Thank you for visiting, Dusty! I'm having issues replying to your comment :( My oldest daughter loves aprons too! It is so fun to make those special memories with them. I am off to dreamland, but I will be visiting your blog tomorrow!
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