“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”—Matthew 13:14-15
Jesus’ words and actions in Matthew 13 were a powerful teaching of the importance of serving others. King Jesus wasn’t above washing the dirty and stinky feet of His disciples. He humbled himself, bent down and lovingly did what others thought was a servant’s job. I don’t know about you, but initially I was taken aback by this.
However, once I really pondered this, I thought about how Jesus knew His life was coming to an end. Yet, He chose to spend some of His final hours stooping down and washing His disciples’ feet. Would I do the same? If I knew I only had hours left to live, I seriously doubt I would be performing a foot washing ceremony.
This past week, God has given me the gift of spending time with my daughter who recently had a baby. You might think, she isn’t going to be able to put down her new grandbaby. As much as I want to hold my little grandson all the time, my priority was taking care of my daughter. I told her I am here to serve you so you can figure out what you need to do when I’m not here.
While it has been over 30 years since I have been a first-time mom, I know how overwhelming it can be trying to learn the ropes. Me taking the baby out of her arms, feeding him or picking him up every time he cries isn’t going to help her.
What helps her is for me to meal prep, cook, clean, do their wash and help with the dogs. I will have plenty of time for Callahan cuddles on another visit. This isn’t about me; it is about her. Not just that, I got to spend my Mother’s Day watching her be a new mom…a true blessing.
In fact, I got her a kitchen towel that says, the only thing better than being your mother is watching you be a mom. It is true. Not just watching my daughter be a great new mom but also seeing my son as he is a father to his two boys. I just can’t explain how it fills my heart as a parent to watch my children as parents to their own children.
For me, having a servant heart with my children as well as my knitting ministry comes naturally. However, as you know, it hasn’t come naturally with my mother. Yes, I make sure her needs are met, but enjoying it in the moment, not so much. I am a work in progress in this area of my life.
Depending on your season in life, where you serve will probably look different. Jesus’ illustration for us in Matthew 13 doesn’t mean in our final days we wash dirty stinky feet. He shows us what true humility is. We serve in His name to wherever He calls us. It may be in your home, school, neighborhood, work, the elderly or like me with a parent with dementia. We don’t always get to pick where we want to serve. God places us where He needs us and where He can grow us the most.
Father God,
Forgive me when I don’t embrace where You have called me to serve. I know there are seasons in life where You will grow me when I am obedient to where You have placed me. I thank You for the gift of Motherhood. I lift those up to You who haven’t been a mother who struggle on Mother’s Day. May they see their worth as a daughter of the King Most High and how You have been able to use them to make a difference in other family’s lives. While some may say being a mom is the highest calling, being a servant to further Your Kingdom is the highest calling of all. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
May Verse
“We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.”—Psalm 75:1 (NLT)
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