Serving As He Did

This happened sixteen years ago. I'm glad I wrote it down after it happened, because it taught me an important lesson that I don't want to forget.

I was the Primary music leader for our ward, and I had been asked to lead the children in a song for a Stake Primary activity. I needed to be a little early for the activity, which started at nine a.m., and as usual, we were running late. I was ready, but I’d had a hard time getting my children up and dressed and I was getting frustrated. I finally got Hannah and Danny ready while five-year-old Sam put some clothes on, and I thought we were about ready to go. “Grab your shoes and come on, Sam,” I yelled as I headed out the door. I looked back to see him standing there with his sandals in his hand, looking hesitant. “Come on,” I repeated. “What’s the problem?”

Sam looked down, then back at me. “My feet are real dirty,” he said.

“What? Sam, I don’t have time for this. We’re supposed to be there.”  I came back to house where he stood in the doorway and looked at his feet. They were indeed very dirty. The night before, as a Family Home Evening activity, we had gone for a little hike in the canyon. Sam had been wearing sandals on the dusty path, and since he fell asleep in the car on the way home, we had put him right in bed without cleaning him up. “All right, fine,” I said, grabbing his hand and dragging him to the bathroom.  “Sit up here and put your feet in the sink.”

I was exasperated with Sam and annoyed with the whole situation. I just wanted to get his feet reasonably clean and get out of there. I turned on the water and grabbed his foot.

As soon as I touched his foot, something happened. My annoyance vanished, and I was filled with overwhelming love for this child. I felt honored to be performing this service for him. I remembered how the Savior had done this same thing, humbly and with gratitude.

I was no longer in a great hurry, but the task didn’t take long. I dried his feet gently, gave him a hug and walked with him to the car. We got to the activity to find that they were running a bit behind and hadn’t started yet. Everything went well, and I was especially filled with joy as I watched the children, including Sam, sing the song.

Sometimes, when I am frustrated with my children and the challenge of keeping up with their demands, I remember that day, and the lesson I learned. When we serve as the Savior served, with love, our service is no longer a burden, but a joy.

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto 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 13:12–17).