I was ironing Ricky's shirts last night and got to thinking.... First of all, ironing always makes me think of Granny. She "took in" ironing for as long as I can remember...trying to help out with the family expenses. I can still see her standing in the kitchen in front of her ironing board, listening to Swap Shop on the radio, perspiration trickling down her face. (No air conditioning in her house...except for a window unit to cool the living room when company came... and a swamp cooler in the guest bedroom.) To this day, I love the smell of freshly starched laundry.
I began to think about ironing as a metaphor for our purpose as mothers and homemakers. I mean, isn't that what we do...smooth out the wrinkles? Of course, literally we care for our family's clothing so they will look nice in public. (Pr 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.) But we also "smooth out the wrinkles" in so many more ways. When the kids or husband come home from a rough day, we try to encourage them and make them feel better. We send them off with a good meal in their bellies, lunches packed...ready to face their day. We schedule appointments, buy supplies, clean up after them, etc...."smoothing out the wrinkles"...making their lives run a little easier. When they can't sleep at night because of stress or emotional pain, we listen patiently and try to lighten their load. Even when we see them doing something they shouldn't and have to correct them (in meekness - Ga 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.), we are still "smoothing out the wrinkles."
I think I will approach this less than desirable chore with a different attitude from now on. As I slide the hot iron across the fabric, I will think about what more I can do to "smooth out the wrinkles" for my family. Happy ironing!
Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
