I
have had my feet washed a few times, but it has never been very
comfortable. I’ve found it is much easier to wash someone’s feet than
to have my feet washed; last night my feet were washed like never
before.
If you have been reading my blogs, you know we have a World Race Squad here
with us in Africa. 26 young Americans traveling around the world that
we have had the privilege of hosting for the past couple months.
I
have been teaching the teams each morning about Kingdom, living “Fully
Alive” and discipleship. The idea that we all need someone older
pulling greatness out of us and we always need to be pulling greatness
out of someone younger; (always have a Barnabus and Timothy in your
life, like Paul). One of the girls on this squad, Megan, took me
seriously and has taken my 15 year old daughter Emily under her wing:
hours a day of bible study, ministering together, prayer, etc.
Last
night Emily asked if she could talk with Lisa and I – she led us to our
bedroom carrying a pail of water, oil and a towel. She asked us to sit
on the end of our bed and just listen… Emily has struggled in the past
with obedience, keeping her room clean, talking back to her mother a
little bit – not major rebellion, but unacceptable behavior. The world
has always seemed to revolve around Emily and she doesn’t like it when
it doesn’t!
Emily
explained to Lisa and me what she has been learning; sitting in my
teachings the past week, listening and talking with Megan and a few
other girls on the race and sitting with the Lord; through tears, Emily
began to repent. She repented for her selfishness, her laziness, her
disrespect (Emily is an amazing daughter; she was much harder on her
self than reality, but there was truth in what she saying). She then
began to wash our feet.
For
about an hour our little girl wept, washed, and oiled our feet – she
repented for vows she had made in her heart towards us. She repented
for not honoring at times and how she has not walked in integrity with
us… She then began to speak words of affirmation of who we were as
people, parents and friends, and she committed to walk in integrity and
share her life with us. Lisa and I were overwhelmed by the holiness of
the moment and could not even speak. The Lord showed up and did
something very special with the three of us.
I feel as though my feet are the cleanest they have ever been.
awesome. you go, Emily! i wish a generation could learn the liberty that comes with this kind of submission and honor.
Sacred moment in time. To be cherished and remembered forever. xo
this is totally amazing…wow!
Emily, Holy Moly, now i’m messed up for the day…
Kudos to you, Emily. You have inspired all of us to have a “washing of feet” attitude toward family,friends and associates. What a world this would be,if we would embrace the challenge:”with love,serve one another”!
you really do have amazing kids!!!
That is the most amazing parenting story I have ever read! God be praised for the sense of your kingdom that you have instilled in her that she was able to hear God and be affected by her mentor. I pray diligently that my wife and I live life before our kids in a way they could respond to God like you saw Emily do.
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
way to go for it Em! You rock!
Wow. Powerful…you’ve got an amazing family there, Gary.
It is a great thing when you get to see the sowing you do in other young people come back to you for reaping from your own kids. That is God’s economy. I have seen that throughout the years in my own family and it always blesses me.
Emily, YOU ARE AN AMAZING DAUGHTER AND I KNOW GOD THE FATHER WAS HONORED AND BLESSED BY WHAT YOU DID, AS WELL AS YOUR PARENTS! GARY & LISA…..YOUR KIDS ARE JEWELS….MEMORIES LIKE THESE WILL ALWAYS BE NEAR AND DEAR TO YOUR HEART!
YOU BLACK TRIBE ROCK!
I AM HONORED AND BLESSED TO CALL YOU FRIENDS!
In tears I share this story with my wife. Even though we have never met, we follow your blog and pray for you often. I am extremely humbled by your daughters act of humility and obedience. It is amazing how often the Father speaks His love and acceptance through our children.
We are praying for all of you through this transition.
Glory to the LORD!! =D.
hallelujah..let Jesus be the center of one’s family…
A BLESSED LIFE YOU’LL HAVE!..
congrats :D. YOU’RE FAMILY IS HIGHLY BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVOURED (GRACE)
hannah here. 14 years old! TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY AND ALL PRAISE.
Way to make me cry at the start of my day! How awesome! Multi-generational blessing and anointing is flowing! C’mon church!