I Have Smelly Feet
I have typed then deleted this post several times. I hesitate to share the story I am about to tell. It is personal and intimate and it may make you feel uncomfortable.
But for the first time a portion of scripture became alive to me. I experienced what Jesus experienced. I hope I can share this story and convey it properly, in a way that honors Christ and not me. I hope by the end that you will catch a glimpse of yourself through the eyes of Jesus.
_____________
I sat down in the conference room exhausted. The time changed last night perpetuating my sleep deprived weekend. The testimonies delivered, were powerful and life altering. My mind reeled and rest was only achieved in the wee hours of the morning.
However, after a few cups of coffee, I was ready for another great day.
The praise music cued and the women of our church, joined the praises of our nation this Sunday morning. What a wonderful women’s retreat. We sang! We worshiped! We loved!
Our morning speaker brought the crowd to hysterics and left us pondering the truths the disciple, Peter spoke about in 1Peter 1:3. A living hope.
Then something very unexpected unfolded. Our speaker emphasized how important this man, Peter, was to Jesus. How Jesus demonstrated His love to him even before He went to the cross.
Jesus washed the feet of Peter and all of His disciples.
Well girls, I have never really understood the significance of this portion of scripture until today. I wondered why is was mentioned in detail.
Today I understand.
Do you see this picture? This is my best friend, Pam. She is the Women’s Ministry Director for our church. I work with her in the office.
Pam knelt below me, removed my shoe and sock, poured water over my foot, and wiped it dry. My other best friend, Jolene, held my hands, looked into my eyes and said,
“Lynn, Jesus loves you so much. He cares about your life and your husband’s eternity.”
“Lynn, I see Jesus in your eyes. You give so much love away and the Lord is well pleased.”
I looked into Jolene’s eyes. Then down at Pam. The look of tenderness and love written on her features overwhelmed me.
I wept!
This single moment in time was an instant when I saw Jesus. He was there washing my feet through Pam and Jolene.
I finally understand the humility of Christ. The God of the universe stooped to wipe away the smell, the grime, and the icky part of my past and future because of love.
I also understand why Peter objected. I know what he felt as Christ approached him because I wanted to jump out of the chair and insist on washing Pam’s feet, then Jolene’s. They were much more deserving of attention.
Then I was hit full force with the reminder that Jesus washed Judas’ feet, knowing he would betray Him.
So today, I want to tell you I am only a servant. I was once a betrayer. But today I am washed pure as snow.
So now would you allow me to wash your feet?
“ I love you so much. I care about your life. Others see Jesus when they look in your eyes and look at your life. You give so much love away. Jesus is so proud of you. I love you.”
I pray you have an opportunity to experience the foot wash of Jesus. Please write me and tell me about it. Have a blessed week and know that I will pray for you this day. Be Blessed, Lynn
1-2 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end. It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal.
3-6Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?”7Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.”
8Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!”
Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.”
9″Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!”
10-12Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.
12-17Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.
(Jesus is my anti-spam word – HOW FITTING!)
What a beautiful reminder of how to be served and what it meant to Christ to serve all fo us.
I have had the humbling blessing of having my feet washed and the joy of washing a friends feet. Both are beautiful experiences.
When I first read the words of the blessing spoken to you and then to us I was touched. As I re-read it I was moved to tears as I received it as if from Jesus to me. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing such a precious blessing my friend, love you.
Oh Lynn! I know EXACTLY where you are coming from! About 10 years ago the elders of a church that supports our ministry washed the feet of the missionaries during a missions conference dinner and also prayed over us. It is so humbling, and such a holy moment. You could hear a pin drop in that room.
Since then, I’ve been previleged to be able to speak at several Pastor’s wives retreats where I have been able to wash the feet and pray for the dear sisters. I will never forget the first retreat I shared this holy, intimate moment. It was a retreat for Pastor’s wives from 2 continents and 6 nations. Some of these women had been (and continue to be) persecuted for their faith. I was so honored to be able to wash their feet and pray over them. The water that washed their feet was mingled with my own tears as I thought about what these feet have had to run from. I can remember, after I was done, thinking “Why is my hair wet?” When I looked up in the tear filled eyes of these 16 beautiful women, I realized they had washed me with their tears. I will never forget this moment…ever.
Love you, my friend.
Hi dear one, As I read this I fought back tears-because I so hear Jesus telling you all that your best friends did. I was touched to the depths of my being by this today-thank you so much for sharing. I have washed dear hubby’s feet 20+yrs ago and still remember how it touched him. Thank you for sharing and please give your bff big hugs from me. Love you.
N
What a wonderful thing to share with us. It reminded me of a time when my husband came home from a mens retreat and he washed my feet, as a symbol of his desire to serve me. Jesus was the ultimate example of how we are to serve others, with love and compassion. Thanks for sharing your heart with us today! -blessings, Laurie
Oh wow, first your post brought me to tears (especially seeing you in that second picture) then Noreen’s comment totally did me in! Wow! How beautiful.
I did experience something like this years ago. Our church in TN did this at an evening service. I was a youth counselor at the time. I was so humbled when one of our youth came and did this for me. I felt the same way you did—would have rather have done it for her. It was very humbling and very special. Hugs!
How humbling and what a vivid picture of the love of Christ! Makes me cry just reading it!
This makes me weep. Thank you for sharing, Lynn. What a brave thing to do–yet, also it seems so you to share it. Hard to make sense as I type through tears. xxxooo
Thank you for sharing this Lynn. Reading this and then seeing the emotions on your face made me want to weep also.
Wouldn’t you know it — my spam word is ‘Love’ – ha….
I really love how you put it ‘That Jesus stooped down to wash away my icky, smelly part…’ Yes, feet-washing is a humble experience…
Thank you so much for sharing your heart and experience from last weekend…
I don’t have to tell you what this meant to me….I’ve been there. This is something that we did on our Sisters Retreat last year. Aimee and I decided in advance that we wanted to do this for the girls that came with us to North Georgia. Aimee prepared the water and special sweet smelling foot bath in a large dishpan. I read the passages in the Bible and shared a little of how MUCH Jesus loves us. Still. I called Susan forward—had her sit on a cushioned stool—and then one by one, Aimee and I washed the feet of our dears sisters in Christ and we all prayed over them. THE HOLY SPIRIT fell in that room in such a sweet anointing! I am teary just now remembering—after reading your precious post!
What love—and to think…it’s for us too!
What a blessing this was!
I was very touched by your experience, Lynn. I grew up and was saved in a church that practiced foot washing on a regular basis.
I really don’t understand why we, as a global church, have basically abandoned this practice. In verses 12-17 I think Jesus makes it quite clear that this is a practice He modeled and wants us to pursue just like he modeled communion for us and instructed us to do likewise.
In this day and age of viral pedicures, you’d think we’d just get over it and obey.
I so needed this…I have tears in my eyes. Thank you for allowing God to use you in your writing and for sharing this special experience!
Such a sweet post!
Thank you for sharing. We did this at a retreat I went to a few years ago. It was very humbling.
i love feet