Yesterday was Palm Sunday. The week before Jesus’s resurrection. So much happened in that week. His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The Passover. The Garden of Gethsemane and the Atonement of all mankind. The Betrayal. The Trial. The Torment. The Crucifixion. The Death. And Finally, the Resurrection.

I’ve been thinking about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. They had just finished the Feast of the Passover. Judas Iscariot was preparing to betray Him and Jesus knew that He would soon depart this world. He rose from supper, took a towel, poured water in a basin and began to wash each disciple’s feet and wipe them with the towel. After He had finished, He sat down and asked them if they knew what He had done to them. He then explained to them that even though they call Him Master and Lord, He humbly and lovingly washed their feet. Even the feet of he that was to betray Him.

“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you… The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13: 1-15 KJV)

When I was younger, my two oldest brothers decided to serve a mission to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in other countries. My mother prepared big tubs of water and we all washed our feet. It was a fun activity. I didn’t understand the symbolism of it at that time. Not really. But I will never forget it. I ponder on it often.

Today, I realize just how sacred it is to serve one another. In my post Open the Sunshine, I talk about serving this sweet woman. We have become dear friends. She is now an important part of our lives. We had dinner together last night. As we left her, she embraced me and told me how wonderful my family is. She then told me something that was very special. She told me that because of us, she doesn’t feel quite so lonely anymore. I dearly love this little woman. She means so much to me.

Being with her helps me to remember God’s love for each and every one of us. I can’t imagine never being able to love and serve this woman. If I had never listened to the Spirit tell me to go and give her a box of sunshine, or let my fear keep me from answering that call to serve her that inspired day, we would never have this special relationship. Serving her and others has greatly served me. But most important of all, serving her has helped us all (her and each of my family members) to feel God’s love. Love for one another. Love for us each individually.