~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Aprons In Heaven.
“After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.” Mark 6:42
She would always wipe her hands on her apron, dusting off the day’s debris, and reach out with a two-arm hug. Whatever had filled her hands before instantly ceased of importance the minute we walked in the door. The iron would come unplugged. The spatula would rest aside the bowl. The phone would click back into its holder. Whatever the task at hand, it wasn’t important. We were. She was always present for us; intentional and loving.
When I think of being present, I think of my mom and her apron-living. She was never without those colorful garments, yet though the work could have kept her constantly darting or endlessly preoccupied, she never wavered in the practice of being fully present with people. I think of this present-ness with now with my own family, my friends, my neighbors, the women in the check out line and at the restaurant. I long to be someone who puts aside my agenda, and loves well because of it. For being present, undistracted or unhurried, is to love.
When I think of being with Jesus, I’m embarrassed to think of my Bible on my lap, my phone full of texts I’m writing and reading, my to-do list open to scroll, and my availability to other people unhindered. Yet, when I think of Jesus being present with the Father, I think of the Scripture: “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). Surely, he was in union with the Father all day, but even the Son of God needed to withdraw, undistracted, and be fully present with God. He walked away from the crowds, from his friends, from his tasks, to be undivided with the Lord. He was fully present in his trinitarian communion and love.
He is our example, and this my call, to practice love by being fully present in His presence and others. And this is eternal my hope: that there are aprons in heaven, where myself, Jesus, loved ones, and my mom will all wipe away every tear and task to dwell in the very present love of the Father.
