Grandma always wore an apron; full length, with a bib to protect her blouse and a gathered bottom to cover her skirt. But could this apron provide protection from what Grandma would face later that afternoon?
Grandma lived with our family in rural Minnesota in the 1950’s. One summer Sunday afternoon we visited Uncle Jack. His farm had wooded areas and pastures in which berries grew wild. Grandma, pail in hand, announced that she was going to pick berries in the pasture.
Uncle Jack’s warning
“Look out for the sheep buck,” Uncle Jack said. “He likes to terrorize berry pickers.”
Undaunted, Grandma headed into the pasture. Soon, in her peripheral vision, she spotted the sheep buck heading her way. He gained speed and came faster, faster!
Grandma uses her apron
Uncle Jack had cut down some trees in the pasture and he left behind some stumps about as high as Grandma’s waist. Grandma calmly walked to a nearby tree stump and covered it with her apron skirt. Then she stood firmly behind the stump, and the sheep buck rammed his target – Grandma’s apron covering the stump.
That sheep buck never bothered Grandma again.
Wisdom, creativity, trust
Grandma’s apron protected against her from food stains but it could not protect from a charging sheep buck. Yet she was not afraid. God had promised to be with her. She used the gifts God had given her – wisdom, creativity, an apron, and the nearby tree stump – to keep her safe from danger.
What the Bible says
“For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, and he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” (Proverbs 2:6-8, NIV)
Today’s prayer
Dear God, thank you for your promise to be with me and give me wisdom through all of the dangerous and difficult times of my life. Help me to remember and trust in that promise. At the same time, help me recognize and work with what you give me, the way Grandma did. Amen.
©1998 Jennifer Cummings
You can find this story and others by Jennifer Cummings in My Roots Go Back to Loving and other stories from Year of the Family
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