Scary Feet

Scary Feet


Peter persisted, "You're not going to wash my feet—ever!"
Jesus said, "If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing."
John 13:8 The Message

I do not know when it started, but I have an aversion to feet. I thank God that I have feet; I just don’t like mine touched or having to touch anyone else’s. I recall my dad had an illness and I had to apply a prescription cream on his feet. I was glad I could do something for him, but I do not recall enjoying it very much. Sometimes my wife asks me to rub her feet and I agree, only on the condition that she has socks on. One of the ladies in my Bible study group occasionally wears sandals for the expressed purpose of showing me her feet . . . wiggling toes and all. Ugh.

My brother, Jerome, lived with an elderly family member for a short time. He told me that she complained of foot pain. So, he asked her if she wanted a foot rub; she agreed. He said that her feet were crusty with dry skin and her toenails were long enough to look like that of a wild animal. He got a pail of water and soaked her feet. After that he clipped her toenails. As he clipped them, they went flying across the room and he could hear them ricochet off of the walls. After that, he put lotion on her feet and gave her a good foot message. Jerome and I laughed so hard while we discussed that story. But I had in the back of my mind that Jesus did the same sort of thing for the people he loved. He assumed the lower position as an example for us to also choose the lower position of servant.

My brother surpassed me that day in that he stooped down and did what no one else would do; he did what she would not or could not do for herself. And to me that is sort of the lesson and example that Jesus leaves behind. How we serve others is what lodges itself in their minds and hearts. If we really love someone, we serve them, and then I think they are changed from the head to the feet. Even if those feet are crusty, long- nailed, scary feet.
*******************************************************************************
Thoughts on faith from a sinful man
Author: Eric MontgomeryCopyright ©2009