I went for a manicure and pedicure today because.. missionary-minded as I am and supposedly intellectually opposed to luxury *rolls eyes at myself*, I’d bought 6 (spa company) trial sessions at the start of my hiatus from work and have to use them up. Staring at my clean and buffed finger and toe nails, and feeling the softness of my heels, I feel content, safe and loved. Maybe being taken care of gives us a sense of well-being.
I think in life we all get dealt blows. Hardly anyone’s life is simple or easy. Most of the time, coming out on the other side, I can see the value of the trials and struggles. Yet there are emotions tied to the hardships we experience. And once in a while, it is good to not intellectualize things and allow some good in, some care to the hands that have worked hard, to the feet that have traveled much.
I’m not sure if I can subject anyone to washing my feet again but it’s been a good experience.. I’d thought, “how can I subject another human being, who is my equal, to the degrading task of washing my feet, of sanding away my dead skin and having it land on her clothes?” And I’d pondered Christ’s answer to Peter’s understandable protest: “You will never wash my feet”. (John 13:6-14, NIV.)
“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Jesus did not think it beneath Him to wash His disciples’ feet but rather bade them to love and serve each other in the same way because this is who He is and what His Kingdom is about. Washing feet can be the kindest thing you do for someone; and the one who washes feet for the well-being of another may not be the lesser one. Life isn’t always as it’s painted.
Going to bed blessed :).