By this point in our Race, most of us are used to the whole “being unsure of the day’s ministry until we begin doing the day’s ministry” kind of thing. Yesterday, we had heard that we were going to be doing some sort of painting project, but found out that there were actually other plans in the works. When we got downstairs, Auntie Carol (the kids’ teacher) told us that ministry for the day was going to be “a labor of love”. Hearing that was like when a friend or parent calls you and starts the conversation by saying, “Don’t freak out, but…” However, it turned out that we were going to be spending the morning giving m(i)nicures: washing the kids hands and feet, clipping and filing their nails, and putting lotion on their hands and feet.
It’s important to note that I am terrified of cutting kids’ nails. My mom used to cut our cat’s nails, and the cat would howl and cry and hiss and I was far too scared that I would cut the kids’ nails too short and hurt them, so I opted for the hand and feet washing station. We started with the babies, and moved up to the young school children. Between the 7 of us, we spent about 4 hours scrubbing out dirt, trimming and filing so that shoes would fit properly, and getting splashed with soapy water. And it was a joy.
In John 13, we can read the account of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. Obviously, what we did yesterday was a little different, but I’m specifically reminded of vv. 14-17, where Jesus tells his disciples, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” When Jesus served His disciples in this way, it was a bit of a knarley job. These guys wore sandals and walked around for miles each day. They must have had some pretty nasty feet. He served them in a practical way, and as a way of blessing them, and then commanded them to go do the same, both literally and figuratively. In the Kingdom of God, I’m no better or higher than these little ones. Jesus loves His little ones, and I believe that serving them delights and brings praise to the Lord. Serving these little ones is a form of worship.
These kids have been abused, neglected, tossed aside, overlooked, and treated with contempt and hatred. Some of them are used to equating touch with abuse or anger. They long to equate touch with love and gentleness. By getting to rub their backs and wash their little hands and feet, we were able to show them, even if just for a moment, that they are loved, seen, and worth being provided and cared for.
While spending the morning with the kids was a joy, it actually wasn’t my favorite part of the day’s ministry. My favorite part was looking around at my teammates, these 6 wonderful women that God has allowed me to spend this last leg of the Race with, and watch them interact with these children. They carried such at attitude of love and peace with them, and were full of so much beautiful joy. They were full of a radiance that only comes from the Holy Spirit, and it was so tangible. The ways my teammates were singing to, tickling, and holding the kids was truly so sweet, and stopping to look at them and feeling such adoration for them reminded me of how Jesus must have felt as He watched us love His children.
