Humbled

Now when I say humbled...yes that refers to me. Because today I have been humbled beyond belief. I spent the day at Health Day in Atlanta with Lazarus Ministries. I have to say how proud I am of all of St. Matthews Youth for the time they gave today. To explain...for those that do not know...this day is about serving the homeless in Atlanta. They are given clothes, some of their basic hygiene needs are met. They get sack lunches, haircuts, manicures and pedicures.
I got the pleasure of giving them pedicures. Now you are probably thinking right now..is she being sarcastic...is she serious. What could be pleasurable about this? Just when I thought I could not be more blessed...God showed me I was wrong. I was slightly intimidated by this task even though I had volunteered myself for it.  God was fashioned in the people I interacted with today. Their laughter, their gratefulness, their smile, and most importantly their hearts. They are just like you and me.
As I sat and washed and scrubbed their feet I thought of all of the times I have complained. Complained that my feet hurt or I just want a pedicure. Or how much I hate giving myself a pedicure. I had a lady say to me today.."I am so sorry. I know it is bad. I just don't have the tools to clean my feet and nails like I would like to. Sometimes they hurt and the nails get really long and my feet bleed." It clicked at that moment...why do I complain..I have all the tools I need to clean my OWN feet.
Obviously, I was blessed way beyond knowing that I can clean my own feet and give myself a pedicure. Sometimes I know I take the little things for granted. The things we would never think of. Like the several pairs of toenail and fingernail clippers I own..or the nail files I have stashed away in my purse and desk drawer and car and bathroom. Something so meaningless holds great value to someone who has nothing.
The people I helped serve blessed my soul today. They were amazing and I saw Christ shine through their thankfulness. The face of the poor looks just like you and me. But their feet tell a diffrent story. A story of walking non stop for the last two months. Wearing heels because those are the only shoes they own (women you know this doesn't feel good). Some were blistered and sore.
I am not greater than them...they are greater than me.
John 13:14-17 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. Very truly I tell you, 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.

The Lady

I met the most beautiful lady yesterday. She truly was a child of God. I noticed when I met her that she had been badly burned. She wore a wig and sunglasses and long sleeves and pants to cover what she felt were her imperfections. When she spoke it was only kindess and mercy that flowed from her mouth. I had the courage to ask her what had happened. She explained to me that as an infant her older brother who was three had brought a stick in from outside and stuck it in the fireplace and caught the stick on fire. In his effort to either put the fire out or playing an imaginary game of cops and robbers caught her bassinett on fire. She clearly was badly burned and was very blessed to survive the experience. She endured tons of surgeries up until age 14. I asked her how her relationship was with her brother. She said wonderful! She loves her brother with all of her heart! She said he was just a child himself and she has never felt angry toward him. She said she has been married to the same man for 31 years! And he amazingly thinks she is beautiful just like she is. Without the wig, without the makeup that covers her scars. Without all of the glamourous things we feel make us beautiful. She said there are days she feels very self conscious. She told me about her children and their loving support. If only we could look at others in our lives with such forgiveness and such understanding. Including oursleves...if only we could see past what the world tells us about beauty and see what God has created us to be...beautiful, radiant and loving children of His kingdom. I saw God in this lady. I asked her if I could share this story and she kindly said yes. I cried as I listened to her speak about her love for her family. I hugged her and told her just how beautiful she was...and for once the opposite of what most would say....not just inside but outside she was wonderfully made. God planned each detail of her beauty to shine through for the world to see. I was so blessed by her and I hope you will be too.