I firmly believe that God has a delightful sense of humour so when I was asked if I would be interested in teaching at church, I didnt expect that I would be assigned the 18 month olds to 3 year olds. After all, I dont know much about this age group nor do I have much experience with them other than through my friends children. Despite this, I seem to be a kiddie-magnet.
Someone said to me that God would teach me something out of this experience. Ok, so what could it be? Patience? Compassion? No, not these. I have been told by several people that I already have these especially when it comes to children.
I had an ah-ha moment- an epiphany- as I was sitting with the children today as we were having our cookie snack. Thats when I realized that what I probably had to learn was that of being a servant of God. Too often because of my work, I forget that being a servant of God implies that I must not only think about others but love them as well regardless of who they are or what they do. In my epiphany, I realized that I need to humble myself to these children- Gods children- and get down on my knees with a towel and basin and wash their feet in an act of unselfish love and humility.
Regardless of our status or rank in society, as followers of Christ we must be servants to all- the young, the elderly, the poor, the rich, the sick, and the healthy. There is no societal division when it comes to serving one another.
I will never look at a child the same way now that I know that it is I who needs to be at their feet lovingly and tenderly washing them.
Valerie
“So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13: 4-5)