This past summer, I was spending time with my grandma (who I call "Mamme") and she shared a personal story with me that has truly changed the way I try to live life. First, let me say that my Mamme is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. She has truly lived out a life of servanthood and love to God and people. She is one of my best friends and a beloved mentor. We have a very close relationship and are able to share some of our deepest thoughts, dreams, and memories with each other. During one of our special talks, she shared with me about a time when she was caring for her in-laws. They were really old and depended on her for everything. She cooked for them, helped them bathe, basically did anything and everything. For years, she wasn't able to take a vacation because their care was so demanding and she became very tired and overwhelmed. After a while, a couple from her church said that they would take care of her in-laws so that she and my Pa-Pa could take a vacation. They were very relieved and excited to have a break so they planned a trip to come visit us in Washington D.C.. They drove their van 12 hours to come see us, but as soon as they arrived, the church couple that had offered to care for her in-laws called and said that the care was too overwhelming and they wouldn't be able to do it. My grandparents were crushed. They got back in their van and drove 12 hours back to New Hampshire. Mamme said that she struggled with God the whole way home because she didn't understand why this would happen when she had been so faithful to serve. When they arrived home, my Mamme went to the in-laws trailer to help them get ready for bed, and she said that she heard God whisper to her spirit, "It's time to wash her feet." Of course that was the last thing that she wanted to do at that moment, but she obeyed. She got out a basin of warm water and washed her mother-in-laws feet and clipped her toenails. She told me that as she washed her feet, God cleansed her heart and increased her love when she thought she had no more to give. As she told me this story, I cried. I was so overwhelmed by her humility, love, and determination to obey God in the midst of her heartache. This story is one that I will never forget. More than once since then, God has reminded me of that story and asked me to wash feet. I don't even have the right words to describe what washing a person's feet can do. At one time of feet washing, bitterness between a friendship was washed away and was replaced with love and forgiveness. During another time of feet washing, a love that had been difficult to express and mutually accept was perfectly understood. Washing feet has become a part of my relationship with the Lord. When I hear him whisper, "wash their feet," I have come to learn that it does not always mean to wash feet in the literal sense. When the Holy Spirit whispers "wash their feet," I understand that he is calling for a "humble spirit and a contrite heart." He is calling me to intimately serve His people. And it's so amazing because when we wash feet, He pours out His love on us and something that seems so unclean can make us feel so cleansed.-Mel
