I read something that I enjoyed earlier this week. I want to share it with you. It was a post on the Hillbilly Housewife website. http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/apronevangelism.htm
The article is entitled:
Apron Evangelism
philosophies on the pleasure & power of aprons
I encourage you to look it up and read it. It is a cute, article, and I think it has some good meaning to it. I like being a homekeeper but I admit that it isn't glorious to some and I don't get to dress up in nice clothes, or freshly pressed scrubs. This article has me thinking about how I can communicate to my family that I take my job seriously in the home and that I enjoy what I do. In this article the author, Maggie, uses the "Apron" as a statement in her home. It is a fun idea. I bought 2 aprons yesterday at Garden Ridge. I don't plan to wear earrings, heels, and pearls with my apron but hey, I will look serious about my cleaning and cooking. I will probably save on stain treatments by wearing them.
Here are some highlights of the Apron Evangelism article:
I felt the need to discuss them with the queen of solutions, my momma Darthulia. As I suspected she had the perfect solution. Darthulia told me I needed a uniform or costume which would reassure myself and others of my intention and status in the home. She claimed it would remind me of my duties, inspire me to greater levels of cleanliness (which as a hillbilly I sorely need), and reaffirm my authority in the home.
you knew they were doing housework because they had their aprons on. A string of beads graced the necks of their classic shirtwaist dresses, and a lacy bibbed apron proclaimed their role as matriarch in charge of household management."
I expected to see myself staring back at me, probably looking a little silly in this frilly piece of confection designed to protect my clothing.
I in for a surprise. In the mirror I saw a vision of the homemaker I have always strived to become staring back at me.
I have come to believe they are a like lacy bits of lingerie, only worn on the outside, and a quite a bit more respectable. When I put on my aprons the children mind me better, wandering visitors immediately know my role as a stay at home mom. Door to door religious missionaries assume I am a virtuous woman and cheerfully move on to the next house. Fred thinks I look cute as a button,
They have changed my life, raising my standards, inspiring me to greater feats of home making skill, and making me more effective as a parent.
Ladies, we are all homekeepers whether we work outside the home or within. If we can find someway to make our responsibilities more fun, why not try it. If not an apron, then something else. I know that I read a long time ago that one should dress for the job of housecleaning. We work more efficiently and comfortably. The author of that book suggested doing your hair so that it is away from your face, put on tennis shoes complete with socks, and wear clothes that are comfortable but not sloppy. She didn't think one should dress in pjs or sweats because they are clothes that convey relaxation as opposed to serious housekeeping. I found that this works. I like wearing a little lip gloss and mascara. I like having my hair combed. I like dressing in work clothes and wearing shoes. I feel feminine and I don't look like "woe is me". I do this even if I am alone in the house. Put on some loud crazy music and get moving.
And if all else fails, remember we are serving our families in our house cleaning and with all the drudgery comes the fact that we are ministering to our families by providing them a clean, comfortable home and clean clothes. We are to work as unto the Lord.
Girlfriends, I needed these verses a few days back instead of the Frying Pan I was pleading for!
Here are some highlights of the Apron Evangelism article:
I felt the need to discuss them with the queen of solutions, my momma Darthulia. As I suspected she had the perfect solution. Darthulia told me I needed a uniform or costume which would reassure myself and others of my intention and status in the home. She claimed it would remind me of my duties, inspire me to greater levels of cleanliness (which as a hillbilly I sorely need), and reaffirm my authority in the home.
you knew they were doing housework because they had their aprons on. A string of beads graced the necks of their classic shirtwaist dresses, and a lacy bibbed apron proclaimed their role as matriarch in charge of household management."
I expected to see myself staring back at me, probably looking a little silly in this frilly piece of confection designed to protect my clothing.
I in for a surprise. In the mirror I saw a vision of the homemaker I have always strived to become staring back at me.
I have come to believe they are a like lacy bits of lingerie, only worn on the outside, and a quite a bit more respectable. When I put on my aprons the children mind me better, wandering visitors immediately know my role as a stay at home mom. Door to door religious missionaries assume I am a virtuous woman and cheerfully move on to the next house. Fred thinks I look cute as a button,
They have changed my life, raising my standards, inspiring me to greater feats of home making skill, and making me more effective as a parent.
Ladies, we are all homekeepers whether we work outside the home or within. If we can find someway to make our responsibilities more fun, why not try it. If not an apron, then something else. I know that I read a long time ago that one should dress for the job of housecleaning. We work more efficiently and comfortably. The author of that book suggested doing your hair so that it is away from your face, put on tennis shoes complete with socks, and wear clothes that are comfortable but not sloppy. She didn't think one should dress in pjs or sweats because they are clothes that convey relaxation as opposed to serious housekeeping. I found that this works. I like wearing a little lip gloss and mascara. I like having my hair combed. I like dressing in work clothes and wearing shoes. I feel feminine and I don't look like "woe is me". I do this even if I am alone in the house. Put on some loud crazy music and get moving.
And if all else fails, remember we are serving our families in our house cleaning and with all the drudgery comes the fact that we are ministering to our families by providing them a clean, comfortable home and clean clothes. We are to work as unto the Lord.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the lord, rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the lord, rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
Girlfriends, I needed these verses a few days back instead of the Frying Pan I was pleading for!
I thank the Lord I no longer have to go to work. I just get out of bed in the morning, and there it is – all around me. - Anonymous
3 comments:
Sounds like a fun day Anna! Wish I was there! love ya Ree
My Aunt wrote a little story about Aprons. My Grandmother was never without hers. They bring back special memories! I will share the story with you sometime! Ree
This is my favorite article on the whole Hillbilly Housewife Site! I absolutely love that site!
It's funny you posted about that, because this week I was perusing fabric from my stash thinking what did I have to make a pretty apron because I remembered the article and thought I needed to be inspired to do some cleaning. Of course, then I got sidetracked with the creating... And you know me... why do today what I can put off til tomorrow...
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