Skip to main content

Faith Like a Child


Last night we had a footwashing service at church. For churches that recognize the ordinance, it's usually done on Maunday Thursday, when Jesus washed his disciples' feet at the Last Supper. In our church the women wash each other's feet in one circle and men in another in observance of Jesus' words in John 13:14-17,
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

This year, our son Timothy (3 years), who was watching the process intently, asked us, "What are they doing?" "Are her feet dirty?" We explained to our toddler that we are doing what Jesus would do, we wash feet to show that we will help others.

He said immediately, "Mommy, I want to help others too. I want to wash your feet!"

He jumped down from the chair and washed my feet along with the lady at my side. I was so touched, the tears started streaming down my face. The other ladies started crying too. Lord, help me to serve without question. I want to answer "Here I am, Lord" when I see needs around me instead of pretending they're not there or making excuses why I'm not the one to assist. Give me faith like a little child.
Labels:

Comments

  1. ShiloApril 11, 2009 at 12:50 PM

    So precious!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rebecca Conduff AguirreApril 11, 2009 at 8:25 PM

    What a special moment to treasure! Children are so uncomplicated, aren't they? :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Randall and Rachel BeitaApril 12, 2009 at 1:22 PM

    What a sweet moment that I know will always be remembered!

    ReplyDelete
  4. ChristieApril 14, 2009 at 7:09 PM

    Our girls just experienced their first Feet Washing service, too, and thought it was so neat. I grew up with literal feet washing after each communion service (once quarterly), so I knew what was happening when the bowls and towels came out, but the looks on my girls' faces was priceless!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Grandma JApril 19, 2009 at 4:56 PM

    That's awesome! I love that your little boy wanted to help you by washing your feet! You left me a comment on my book giveaway, "The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived". You're the winner! Contact me and I'll figure out a way to get the book to you...even if I just hang on to it until you're in the states...okay? God Bless you for the work you are doing, Jeannie

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Christmas in Paraguay!

If you're wondering what Paraguayans do at Christmastime, they have some great traditions , including the " noche buena " meal on Christmas Eve at midnight.  They eat lots chipa guasu (a type of corn casserole, stay tuned for a recipe), asado or grilled meat (some eat it cold), salads, especially fruit salad, watermelon and drink mucho terere . Families travel from all over the country, many even return from working in other countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Spain, to celebrate with loved ones. This is us at last year's Kurrle celebration in Asuncion. Festivities are anything but a silent night with fireworks, loud music and drinking cidra (hard cider).  Most Paraguayans do not decorate Christmas trees (we decorate ours in shorts!) or emphasize Santa Claus.  Instead, they put beautiful nativities " pesebres " in their yards and in store fronts.  Kind of novel to focus on Christ at Christmas, isn't it! To beat the heat, many Paraguayans g...
4 comments
Read more

Paraguayan Weddings

On Valentine’s Day, we had the joy of attending the wedding of Sandra and Anastacio, young leaders in the church. Sandra is my assistant with Children of Promise and Anastacio, apart from his carpentry job, has a popular youth-focused radio program every night at 8:00 on our station. We’ve been to quite a few weddings, and these are some of the uniquenesses of southern Paraguayan wedding celebrations from our North American culture: 1. Nothing is fancy. Emphasis is placed on the act of marriage and not on the decorations or food. 2. It is not an expectation that parents help pay for expenses. Most families just make it each month with regular expenses and cannot afford to pay for eleborate feasts. Most couples have to spend months saving for their own wedding. 3. Borrow as much as possible. Many times wedding dresses are borrowed 5-10 times, because few women can afford their own. Flowers, decorations, shoes and ties (Norb loans out his ties often...since he never wears them!...
2 comments
Read more

How to make Rosella (Roselle) Juice and Tea

This is rosella (not to be confused with grosella, which is gooseberry).  Rosella is from the hibiscus family. It's harvest time here, and we use the rosella to make juice and tea.  It's properties are absolutely tremendous.  It helps sooth colds, coughs, helps digestion, promotes healthy kidney function, is a treatment for cancer, and reduces a fever and that's just a few of its benefits!  To make rosella juice, first de-pit the fruit and wash the skin thoroughly. Put the fruit into boiling water until the water is bright red (about 15 minutes).  The color is so vibrant, Roselle is sold to make dyes.  Strain the fruit (which can be used to make a delicious jam) and refrigerate the juice.  Add a few squirts of Stevia for a healthy drink. The finished product looks exactly like red Kool-aid, but is entirely full of nutrients.  We can't get enough of it. We dehydrated the petals for hot tea.  All you need is two dried flowers to infus...
3 comments
Read more