Washing Your Children's Feet
by Pastor Tim LaVere
(West Branch, Michigan)
I didn't want to be nice to Chet. I didn't want to sit by Denise at lunchtime. I didn't want to be the only student in my classroom who would talk to the castaways, share my paper and pencils with the kid who didn't have anything or invite the biggest loser in class to my birthday party.
But eventually Chet, Denise and all the others became my most cherished friends. Why? Because I followed the command to "do unto others." I didn't learn it as a child from extensive Bible reading, or by taking sermon notes in church. I learned it from my mother.
You see, the Bible makes it clear that we all have spiritual gifts given to us by our creator. My mom recognized something in me early on. She knew I had a compassionate heart, and a gift for service. God had planted it, and she helped to cultivate it until the seeds grew into something beautiful. Now, my life is richly blessed because I've dedicated myself to serving others.
We are all called to serve, whether it's the primary gift God has placed on our hearts or not. Jesus demonstrated that for his disciples when he took on the role of the lowliest of household servants and washed their feet. Jesus was a great leader and people followed him because first and foremost, he was a servant. My mother was doing the same by modeling a similar servant attitude for me.
During school field trips (which she always volunteered to chaperone) she would choose the quiet and shy students to be a part of our group. Eventually, my other classmates would clamor to be with mom during every trip. Little by little, I began to understand the great joy in servanthood. My happiness eventually began to be based on what I could do for others, and not what they could do for me.
Romans Chapter 12 tells us that by offering ourselves to God for His service, we can "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (v.2 NKJV). Isn't that exciting - to know God's perfect will for us?
As parents, we know better than anyone what makes our kids tick. We know what excites them, what makes them happy, angry, or sad. Do you see the spiritual gifts that God has planted in your children? You have a tremendous opportunity to help that gift grow, and encourage your child to be all that he or she was meant to be.
Pray for your children each night as they sleep. Pray with them every day. Ask God to develop their gifts. And don't forget to thank Him for the wonderful gift that He has given you... the opportunity to serve Him by raising your children for His service.
