Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Patriotic Patchwork Prayer

This is a story about an apron and a prayer. If you don't mind, I'd like to tell you about it.

I was looking for another fabric entirely. But this morning as I dug through my material bin, I came across strips of patriotic cloth I've been hoarding for a quilt. As the roll of fabric unfurled, I thought of a flag. Of the stripes on a flag. And in moments, without even thinking, I was at the sewing machine stitching strips into fabric.


As I sewed I began thinking about all the women who are missing someone this Christmas. I thought of all the wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, girlfriends and friends that have a loved one overseas. I thought about the women with heavy hearts who pray - every moment - for a soldier or sailor or Marine. Who pray that he'll be safe... that she'll be well... that he'll come home quickly. Please, come home quickly.

So I began praying, too. As I stitched I prayed for families who are apart this Christmas. I prayed for ones who will wake up Christmas morning without the one they love. And I prayed for the woman who will one day wear this apron. I prayed that, whoever she is, she'll be comforted and blessed whenever she ties on the apron's red, white and blue strings.

And as I prayed, I remembered. I remembered a story I heard about a Grandmother who quilted for her grandchildren. Before she sewed up each quilt, the Grandmother would pencil a prayer onto a slip of paper and quilt it inside the blanket's layers. So I followed that precious Grandmother's lead. I wrote a simple prayer for a patriotic woman I don't even know and her loved one who's so far away. I wrote my prayer and stitched it safely inside. Then I ironed the apron and pinned on its flower.

I hope this apron, which will hit the Freeman House Shop this afternoon, has wings. I hope it and its prayer eventually fly into the life of a loving and hopeful woman somewhere.

And if it's you... if you're reading... my prayers and hopes are with you this Christmas.

May our never-failing God bless our military and its precious families. -Brin

(Update: the apron has sold, but judging by the email response to this post, I may do another Patriotic Prayer Apron. And to all you who've written, I'm overwhelmingly touched by your notes and stories, and pledge to keep each of you in my prayers this season. Especially you boys in Afghanistan and Iraq. You do us proud. Thank you.)

17 comments:

Unknown said...

What a lovely idea Brin, I know who ever wears that apron will feel the comfort sewned in. You have a special heart, I admire you so much! Holiday hugs!!

Rosa said...

What a lovely post and a beautiful idea!

Terri Steffes said...

This is a beautiful sentiment. I really admire you.

Vee said...

That is a lovely thought. I will join you in wishing that a very special gal will have a very special apron.

Michelle said...

Brin, you amaze me. How you can just think of a great idea and whip it up in no time! I think this apron is very special with the prayers that you put into it. I love it!

The Raggedy Girl said...

Thank you Brin on behalf of my grandson Jeffrey serving in Iraq this Christmas. God bless you.
Roberta Anne

LindaSonia said...

Whas a lovely idea. LindaSonia

Tara said...

So glad you listen to God when speaks to you. That is a lovely idea and I know that will comfort the person who bought it. You should make many more.

Elaine said...

How beautiful, Brin.......the apron and the sentiment!

Elaine

Becky K. said...

Hi Brin,

Ever creative and caring bloggy friend, I wanted to invite you over to Hospitality Lane to enter my contest/giveaway today...

Blessings!

Becky

Susan said...

My prayer would be that this war would end and "all" the women and men, mother's and fathers, daughter's and son's, friends and loved ones could come home safe & sound.

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous idea. So thoughtful! My thoughts and prayers are also with the women and children missing their loved ones!

Mim said...

Brin
Where did Henrybella's go.
I was telling someone about your new bakery but can't find it?
On hold til the new year?
Mim

Jess said...

LOVE IT!
Maybe if you make others, you could sell them for a bit more and donate some money to an organization helping families coping with soldiers who have lost their lives or become disabled. I will definitely be looking for another Patriotic Prayer Apron on here, and when it pops up I hope to be the first one to snatch it. And if so, I will wear it prayerfully and proudly :(

Donna said...

Bless you. You are a blessing to me and so many others.

Rosemary said...

I love your idea! My darling daughter turns 18 next week and i'm driving her to Georgia to spend the holidays with her boyfriend who is in the Army. He is being sent to Iraq at the end of december. I pray everyday for his safety, so he can come back to Megan.

Adrienne said...

Beautiful thoughts! Thank you to all the moms, wives, fiancees, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and all ladies who have sacrificed their most precious gift - their men - for us.

My dear mother-in-law made quilts for each of her grandchildren's high school graduation. As she stitched she prayed just for that child. Hours and hours of prayer went into each wonderful quilt. My dear daughter cherishes her quilt and she knows that at a very difficult time of her young life she had a grandmother stitching and praying - just for her!
~Adrienne~