Once Upon An Apron

Once Upon An Apron
By Amy Watson
With graduation and wedding season upon us, you might find yourself slipping an apron over your head to do some heavy duty party planning. My grandmother always wore an apron when she did household chores or baked in the kitchen. I can picture her now, wearing a worn apron full of paint splatters and grease stains. She passed away when I was only 5-years-old, so I don’t have many memories of her.  Naturally, I treasure the memories I do have. My father’s parents were farmers, so visiting them meant lots of adventures. As a small child, one of those adventures was hanging clean laundry to dry out on the clothesline with my grandmother. I would help her carry the basket of towels, or sheets, or pajamas outside and watch her methodically hang each item. She would fill her apron pockets full of clothespins and for whatever reason, that fascinated me. I mean, those clothespins were like magical nuggets of joy to my little heart. And I watched her in admiration longing to wear that apron full of clothespins. Of course, I wasn’t tall enough to reach the clothesline, so watching was about all I was able to do. Sometimes though, she would reach into her pocket and hand me some clothespins and then tasked me with handing them to her when she needed one. Such a sweet memory.

When we put on an apron, it usually means we are getting ready to do something, or more specifically, to serve. An apron is a symbol of servanthood. Our greatest example of servanthood can be found in Jesus. Mark 10:45 tells us, ”For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NLT) Jesus’ heart and commitment to serve, brought us salvation and eternal life.

What a wonderful thought to have as we slip those aprons over our heads in the busy season of celebrations. Sometimes my to-do list can get out of control and before you know it, I lose sight of the celebration. And certainly lose sight of the joy in serving. No one likes a grouchy hostess. So as I slip my apron over my head to make the party treats, wrap the gifts, and clean the house for guests, I will not only smile remembering my sweet grandmother, but I will look at it as another opportunity to become more like Christ…willing to serve those I love.