The "Invisible Apron"

After graduating from college our oldest daughter worked in a supermarket as a florist. Everyday as part of her uniform, she wore a black apron and served the customers at the flower counter for two years.

The dictionary defines an apron as "A protective or ceremonial garment worn over the front of the body and tied around the waist." When someone wears an apron it is usually when they are serving others. It is a symbol of servanthood.

Back in the 50’s or earlier, women wore the apron with much pride because they were serving their families. However, during the feminist revolution, the apron became a symbol for everything holding a woman back – HOW SAD! 

These days, the reality is this:  The most successful companies are those that serve the customer’s needs. Those companies that understand the value of the “apron” are those that are the most successful. 

“…but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43b 

Recently, our daughter got a new job working for a successful financial company that does not require for her to put on an apron everyday. However, it does require for her to continue to wear an “invisible apron” in the spirit of servanthood. I heard a successful retired executive say this, “Regardless of what position you have - President or Custodian, we all should be wearing the “invisible apron”. May I also add that we should wear it unashamed and with pride.

The Bible says that we will be rewarded if we model what our Savior lived and died for, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Everyday, let’s put on our “invisible aprons” and let’s wear it with pride whether we are a homemaker, a successful business associate, a teacher, a student, a construction worker, a lawyer, a doctor, a nurse, a father, a mother, a daughter or a son! For if we do have the heart of a servant, we will be modeling the example of Christ Himself!

Let’s not view the “apron” as a symbol of “holding us back” from anything! But rather, let’s see it as it really is: A symbol that places value on what Christ exemplified to us when He came not to be served but to serve. 

“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor." John 12:26