Matthew 6:6
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
A collection of old-fashioned aprons hang on a hook in my butler’s pantry, at the ready when one is needed for a big food prep day in the kitchen. To my regret, I do not have any that belonged to my mother, who always wore one to protect her dress or the delicate blouse she wore even on ordinary days. An apron of a different color and design was tied around her waist, one for each holiday, long ones, short ones, all lovingly stitched on her old Singer sewing machine.
Suzanna Wesley is someone who became known for her apron. Along with her husband, Samuel, she had 19 children; all except ten died in infancy. Her husband, who did not manage their money well, left for long periods of time, and it was up to Suzanna to raise the children. One of them was a cripple, another couldn’t talk until he was nearly six years old. Susanna herself was desperately sick most of her life. There was no money for food or bare necessities and debt-plagued them.
Despite the enormous hardships, she was faithful to God, especially to prayer. Never able to find a quiet place to be with the Lord, she told her children when they saw the apron over her head, it meant she was in prayer and not to disturb her. No matter how hard life was, she prayed. Though she experienced severe hardships—a husband thrown into debtors prison, devastating illnesses, two houses that burned to the ground, a daughter who had an out-of-wedlock child—she never gave up praying.
Her sons John and Charles grew up to be extraordinary preachers in their day. During his lifetime, John Wesley preached to nearly a million people. At the age of 70, he delivered the gospel message of salvation to 32,000! Everywhere he preached revival broke out. His brother Charles wrote over 9000 hymns, many of which we still sing today. All because of a faithful, faith-filled mother, and an apron.
No matter our circumstances, obligations, and stresses, prayer is the greatest thing we can do to remain faithful to our God and to our families. We may never know what God will do with the simplest words, lifted up to the Father with the smallest faith. If the only place you have is the shower, or a closet, in the car or under an apron, whatever it takes, just pray!
Heavenly Father, we lift up our prayers to You today, humble as they are. May our words of praise, repentance, supplication, and thanksgiving reach your Holy ears, making a real difference in the lives of our husbands, children, and grandchildren. For Your sake we pray. Amen
~ painting by Nicole Gelinas
