I am an apron wearer.  Every morning I get up, get dressed and put on my apron.  I get breakfast and clean up and start my day. Sometimes it is hard – if I am tired, but I feel properly attired if I put on my apron.

I have quite a few now and our No 1 daughter has taken to making and giving me a new one each Christmas and birthday, and I am very grateful for this, because I wear them most of the time, they get ratty and tatty very quickly.  She always takes time to match fabric and make them really cute, it is such a talent that she has.

I do take my apron off when I do other things but I always tend to put it back on when I step into the kitchen, I can’t cook or wash dishes without it.

My apron makes me feel virtuous and hard working, even when I am not always meeting that goal, I always feel that it is close.

My apron makes me feel like a wife and mother, it makes me feel like a house wife, and this makes me feel happy.  I am happy to be “just” a house wife, I am not upset to say this or to be this. It is my God given role and I am glad.

I have always loved the Proverbs 31 passages.  I can never be all that she was, but I don’t think that is the point.  I strive to be all that I can be in my role of wife and mother.  I know it doesn’t say anything in there about wearing an apron but it says in verse 17 that she girdeth her loins with strength.

Now to gird your loins means to gather up the long robes and pull them out of the way.  Maybe this was her way of keeping her robes clean while she did her work, not an apron to prepare for work but an action that brought strength and perserverence.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.  She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

So if you are struggling each morning to get going and step into the role you have been given, find a fancy apron, put it on and accept all the joy that this position brings.

Titus 2:3-5 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

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