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The Apron Memoirs - Week Two


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?

Comments

  1. What a beautiful post! I love the comparison of the apron to the breastplate of righteousness!

    I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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!

    ReplyDelete

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