The Secret Behind Ironing

From a letter from our friend Rose:

'Ironing is the chore that always makes me feel closest to God. When I've done prayerful writing lately, it has been as a result of my reflections while I was ironing in front of my big windows, looking out over the fields behind our house.

My mother loved to iron. There were five of us little girls, all in a row, and my mother took great delight in ironing our little dresses with all the frills and lace and trim.

It wasn't until I had my own family that I discovered the secret behind ironing. It's a chore that must be done, yet it frees the mind to tend to things of the heart and soul while the hands keep busy.

I wonder if this is why my mother always seemed to smile while she ironed.....'


'We must try to converse with God in little ways while we do our work.' (Brother Lawrence) 

Painting: Edgar Degas