A Posture Of Service

We have to switch our pronouns.
We have to change just one word to make a difference.
What if we had a counter that tallied how many times we say the pronoun, I?
What if we were intentional and switched the pronoun, I, to the pronoun, you?

It is easy to think of me first.
It is easy to think about the path of least resistance.
It is easy to make changes so that things are smooth sailing for us.
Is that always the best way?

We can think of adjectives to describe someone who puts others first.
Selfless.
Noble.
Unselfish.

Just hearing those words puts a smile on our face.
They are characteristics to which we ascribe.
Some days we do better than others.
Some days, thinking of others and putting them first is hard.

My friend came over for the afternoon.
We sat on my side porch and had iced tea and blueberry muffin cake.
We talked the afternoon away.
I have not seen her since Bible study ended; it was time to catch up.

We each became grandmothers a year ago.
She has a grandson and I have two granddaughters.
We have been friends for many years.
We have prayed with and for each other for as long as I have known her.

I asked her about her daughter.
Her daughter is a librarian.
My friend and her daughter love to read.
When her daughter was young, the two of them would visit libraries together.

I know that my friend knows the location of every library in our surrounding area.
I agree with my friend that there is something about holding an actual book in your hand.
Especially in the summer months, the library is her favorite place to go.
My friend actually volunteers at a local library one day a week.

My friend shared a story.
She had gone to the library where her daughter works.
She was returning books and choosing new ones.
One of the other librarians began to talk to her.

This librarian has some health issues.
My friend asked her how she has been feeling.
After the woman answered, she had some lovely things to say to my friend.
She had some lovely things to say about my friend’s daughter.

I am not sure about the nature of the woman’s health issues.
I know that some movements are difficult for her.
This older librarian praised my friend’s daughter.
You cannot imagine what she did for me, the woman said to my friend.

I was unable to bend down and tie my shoe that had come untied, the woman said.
Without even asking, your daughter bent down and tied my shoes.
I had a picture in my mind of this young woman bending down to tie the older woman’s shoes.
My throat tightened at the thought.

It was such a small gesture.
It could easily have gone unnoticed.
Probably no one even knew that this young woman helped the older woman in this way.
Those silent, behind the scenes gestures of kindness are known by God.

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 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. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  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. Very truly I tell you, 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. (John 13:1-17)

How did Jesus show the full extent of His love?
Jesus washed feet.
The daughter of my friend did the same.
There may not have been a basin and a towel, but she bent down and tied shoes.

She did a small task with great love.
She lowered herself and placed herself in a posture of service.
She did not think so highly of herself that she could not do such a menial job for another.
She loves the Lord; she follows His example.

Sometimes it is the cup of cold water that means the most.
It is the job that no one sees but God that is the most meaningful.
There are countless opportunities to serve others.
There are many ways in which we can show the full extent of our love to them.

Look around you.
The opportunities are there.
A basin and a towel are not necessary.
Only a posture of service and a willing heart are needed.

2 responses to “A Posture Of Service”

1. Thank you for the reminder of the blessing of service. It’s also a blessing to see a God working through our children.

   Reply

   • Amen, Paula!
     Even the littlest thing done in His name makes a difference.
     Gina

     Reply