God's confirmation

We had our Maundy services at church last night - and what an experience! Yes, I cried, but let me explain what happened.

First, our pastor started talking about what Passover meant, and where it started (for those of you who don't know, it was when lamb's blood was to be put on the lintel and sides of the doors so that when the 'death angel' came it would bypass that house) - which was in Egypt when Moses was telling Pharaoh 'the Lord says, "Let My people go!" This was the night the firstborn dies if the blood wasn't there. Then our Pastor called my hubby up to the stage front and sat him down in a chair. As Pastor Paul talked about what he was doing and why, he took off my hubby's shoes and socks, and put his feet in a pail of water.

Pastor Paul shared that in Biblical times people wore sandals all the time, and the roads were not paved, but dusty. Therefore their feet would always be covered in dust - and if you were a guest in someone's home, usually a servant or slave was called to clean their feet. But Jesus - He showed us that we are to be a humble people. Jesus, himself, took a pan of water, and a towel, and began to wash His disciples feet. Peter, our rebellious one, said 'no way will You wash my feet!' - but when Jesus said if you don't let Me, then you can have no part of my kingdom. To which Peter replied, wash not only my feet, but all of me. (my words!) Pastor Paul washed hubby's feet. It was so moving, so real, so heart-touching.

Then we had the opportunity to take communion whenever we wanted, and if there was someone whose feet we wanted to wash, we could do that as well. One of our worship people, who is the pastor's daughter, was the one I went to. You see, I have felt this special bond with her since we started going to the church. I had not met her before we started attending. I just love her and never really thought why. God revealed to me why she is so special to me.

Several years ago, we had heard this young woman (when she was around 10 or so, I'm guessing)had gone into a coma. No reason why (and I still don't know the why or what). Prayer was requested for her. She was in a coma for 5 days before she came out of it. When I heard about her, I - plus many, many intercessors - prayed for her healing. Although she didn't know, our bond was through my interceding on her behalf for healing.

As I thought about it during the service last night (I haven't thought about it at all since we have been going there to church and seeing her every week), I got up and went to her and asked if I could wash her feet. Then I told her my story. I shared how I couldn't understand why I loved her so much, until God revealed to me that I prayed for her several years ago. My tears - and hers - started to fall. As I washed her feet, I'm not even sure what I said to her, for it wasn't my thoughts, it was what God placed there for her to hear. We both were crying.

When I finished washing and drying her feet, she asked to wash my feet - but not because I washed hers, but because of this story.....

"Usually I remember every year when I went into the coma for 5 days and thank God for healing me. But this year, when the first week of March rolled around, I didn't even think about it until several days later, and it was just a passing thought. God spoke to me and told me that I needed to REMEMBER the miracles that He has already DONE, and not just look for the miracles He is going to do. You are my confirmation that what I heard IS from God and how important it is for me to celebrate what He did for me."

Needless to say, we both cried through the entire foot-washing. Normally I probably would have chosen another person to wash their feet - I saw one friend trying to get my eye attention when I was looking to see where the young woman was. I didn't want to wait, for if someone asked to do mine, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to follow through with what I felt God was leading me to do. We walked hand in hand to the front.

God used me. As a confirmation. That thought warms my heart, for it shows me that God still can use me. At our previous church I felt un-valued. In our new church, I feel not only loved, but valued highly. It's all God, because He is the One who reigns in this church. It is no one's ego - it is complete surrender to whatever the Spirit says to do. I am at home there. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind, but now I see. Thank you Jesus.

Blessings!