Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of his love John 13:1
Focused , intentional love.... that phrase keeps going through my mind as I walk through my days ......focused, intentional. Often I am not focused but distracted, not intentional but reacting.
Jesus-on the most difficult night of his life-showed this kind of love. He washed his disciples' feet. In humility and service, the Lord of the universe performed this act of service. He did not have to do it; the disciples did not deserve or understand it. Peter even protested. But He did it anyway. It was very intentional, very personal. He did not seem to rush through it. He took off his outer garment and wrapped it around His waist, washed and dried, each dirty foot being very dear to him. He knew what was ahead and yet he stooped down to do this. This is the full extent of his love, this focused and intentional love.
Many times a day I feel like I am serving my children. But am I focused? Am I intentional? So much is swirling around me, laundry, meals, squabbles, school books, etc. I run through the assembly line. Teeth brushed? Check. Bed made? Check. Math done? Check. How often do I stop, take off my outer garment, kneel down, hold the feet of these loved ones tenderly? Really listen? Connect? Hear the words they are trying to convey? Too often, my agenda is more important than their words. Jesus did not wash their feet because they were dirty (and indeed they were). If that were the only reason, someone else could have done this chore. He did it because He loved them and saw them as souls to fill with love, not projects to be checked off.
Help me, Lord, to understand this, burn it in my heart, help me to love as you do.
Focused , intentional love.... that phrase keeps going through my mind as I walk through my days ......focused, intentional. Often I am not focused but distracted, not intentional but reacting.
Jesus-on the most difficult night of his life-showed this kind of love. He washed his disciples' feet. In humility and service, the Lord of the universe performed this act of service. He did not have to do it; the disciples did not deserve or understand it. Peter even protested. But He did it anyway. It was very intentional, very personal. He did not seem to rush through it. He took off his outer garment and wrapped it around His waist, washed and dried, each dirty foot being very dear to him. He knew what was ahead and yet he stooped down to do this. This is the full extent of his love, this focused and intentional love.
Many times a day I feel like I am serving my children. But am I focused? Am I intentional? So much is swirling around me, laundry, meals, squabbles, school books, etc. I run through the assembly line. Teeth brushed? Check. Bed made? Check. Math done? Check. How often do I stop, take off my outer garment, kneel down, hold the feet of these loved ones tenderly? Really listen? Connect? Hear the words they are trying to convey? Too often, my agenda is more important than their words. Jesus did not wash their feet because they were dirty (and indeed they were). If that were the only reason, someone else could have done this chore. He did it because He loved them and saw them as souls to fill with love, not projects to be checked off.
Help me, Lord, to understand this, burn it in my heart, help me to love as you do.
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. I tell you the truth, 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 13:14-17
(picture: three-year-old Ella's feet)
This.
ReplyDeleteI kneel with you and do this... slow, intentional, purposeful love.
The kind that looks into another's eyes.
How I send love, dearest friend...
Ann