By, Barbara Redlin
"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."
John 13:14-17
What do washing feet and the holidays have in common??
With the holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas upon us, I often get excited about changing my home decorations to match that season and finding the best deals so I can get more gifts to give at Christmas.
But only until recently have I realized my selfishness and not thinking of individuals or families who won’t enjoy these holidays with others like I do because they don’t have family close by or that they can travel to see. After 24 years of living far from family we are now enjoying living several miles away so my perspective has changed.
As I see the example of Christ washing the disciples feet (which was just not done in those days even by a slave), at the very least I can consider my neighbors in church, a coworker, or in someone in my neighborhood to see if they need a Thanksgiving or Christmas meal or invite to come for our family’s meal.
When I was very young I remember one year for my birthday that my mom gave me a coupon book with several amazing offers… she would make my bed, put my bike away for me, make my favorite meal, give me a hug and a kiss, etc. I’m thinking this year that I need to make some coupons for my neighbors…I won’t include actual foot washing as this might terrify them (hahaha) but I’ll definitely include snow shoveling, leaf blowing, sidewalk sweeping, trash can return, plate of cookies, grocery store run, a pot of soup, a hug, etc.
So often I have the desire to make a change in this world but soon become discouraged when I realize I can’t change the whole world. I don’t have a platform or voice loud enough to do that. But when I consider the people in my personal world the task becomes more achievable with God’s help! And hearing of a practical means to achieve it makes it so much easier to do it!
I’d love to hear your ideas and methods of reaching out to neighbors and community!