Holy Thursday -- When the Greatest Became Our Servant

We're in the throes of the most unlikely Holy Week of our lives. We won't be attending church during this sacred time. But, nonetheless, I've done my best to keep the "holy" in the Lenten season and Holy Week. I've savored the oddities -- meeting and praying with others via Zoom, joining with others in 3:00 pm daily prayers, fasting and even, participating with Pope Francis when he gave an "Extraordinary Urbi et Orbi" Blessing to the world. It was awe-inspiring to see and experience.

This blessing is usually offered on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. The popes appear on a balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican that is crammed with people. A brief address is given and a blessing is offered. I have been to St. Peter's Square twice for the Wednesday General Audience, once, with my husband and several years later with dear friends. The square is crowded with enthusiastic crowds. The Pope gives a brief address, offers a blessing, then gets into his Popemobile and makes some laps around St. Peter's Square. Along the way, he reaches out to the occasional baby that is being lifted up for a blessing. (This photo was taken from where we stood.)

On Friday, March 27th, the scene was completely different. No crowds. Empty square. Night was falling and it was raining. The normal pomp and ceremony of a papal event was stripped away. Alone, Pope Francis entered St. Peter's Square. He stood as an imperfect, humble priest, shepherding and praying to God on behalf of a desperate, frightened flock. (2nd photo)

He reminded us that our Lord Jesus should always be our "normal" for He is our hope and stay. A man said he and his wife had been praying for a return to normal during this time. After Pope Francis' actions on that Friday, the man's wife said the pandemic is revealing the need not to pray for a return to normal. They wanted to pray for something else -- conversion, because normal, the way life was before, will no longer do. God has not abandoned us. As Pope Francis said, "Where God is, there is life." I know that LIFE!

Today we recall Thursday of Holy Week when Jesus modeled what a Servant Leader looks like (or, should look like). Jesus -- the greatest of ALL, was servant of ALL, as He washed His disciples’ feet. He, with the towel and basin, is KING of the universe. The same hands that shaped the earth, the stars and the moon, washed away grime and filth. He wanted His disciples to know how much He loved them. Jesus knew they were about to betray and deny Him, yet He loved and served them. Such extravagant love – such excessive SERVICE.

Jesus explained why He served them: “I’m setting an example for you. You should do what I have done to you.” Jesus called them to serve, to carry on His ministry of loving and caring for people. Christ talked the talk and walked the walk. He led by example. Such love -- such service! Surely we have those in our lives who cause irritation to us -- especially in this time of "cozying up" with our families. Doesn’t it make us aware that He Who was perfect and knew no sin, could set the example for us on how to deal with the onery and irritating ones in our lives? To be like Him, we SERVE. We serve by loving, sharing and giving, for in that serving, we become like Him.

After the Last Supper, the apostles and Jesus journeyed to the Garden of Gethsemane where He asked them to pray. There He experienced His agony. Holy Thursday has a special place for me as I recall my trip to Israel and my visit to the Garden of Gethsemane. We were awed by the garden's beauty, but overcome with emotion at the rock where it is said that Jesus prayed “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matt 26:37). And to pray those words ourselves, “Lord let this situation, pain, fear, agony – pass from me, NEVERTHELESS, not my will but Yours be done.". Isn't that how we should be offering up our prayers in these times that we are in right now?

Jesus prepared His disciples to carry on. Pope Francis encouraged us to carry on. I'm sure that is Jesus’ message to us, too! Today, we have the opportunity to be servants to our family who are under our roofs and servants to others outside our homes by offering our words of support and any actions that could help them. What an incredible flow of forgiveness, mercy, love, servitude and sacrifice from Jesus then, and continues to flow to us and flow through us to others today. Oh Lord, may we be your servants today -- to follow, serve and love You, and others, as You served and loved.

Service With a Smile and Excellence

It’s Saturday and Mom, Karen and I meet at i-Hop for breakfast. This is our annual go-to birthday celebration place and since I’m in Tulsa town this weekend and my birthday is next week – they jump on it. I love these two women so much. They have been sources of anchoring me for so many years -- since I fell in love with Karen’s big brother and Mom’s son when I was 12. We have many precious and cherished memories together.

What makes this celebration even sweeter is this beaming waitress. Just look at her sweet shining light! This is Jacquie! Karen is taking a phone call so I roll Mom in her wheel chair to the booth. I get her settled in and take her wheelchair to a corner out of the way. When I return, this precious girl is bent over helping Mom get out of her sweater. That’s when I am first attracted to her serving beyond her call-of-duty.

I spot her almost ear-to-ear smile. I am drawn to her radiance -- her countenance. I tell her so. She graciously accepts my compliment with an even bigger smile. I'm reminded of Proverbs 15:13 "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face..." She asks if she can get us coffee and within seconds, she returns. Karen joins us and our “shining” waitress is ready to take our order. I ask: “What’s that big smile about? Is it because you love God?” And, instantly, she replies, “Oh, yes. Very, very much!” I say: “Keep shining because this world needs to see what God looks like and how He serves.”

To Mom and Karen, I say: “A blog is on its way!” And here it is for you today! Now you know what Jesus in human flesh looks like. It’s a look of joy, love and kindness. It is excellence in attitude and service. We can’t help but give her an extra good tip because she is all about “service with a smile”. She makes this little birthday celebration so pleasant with responding to our every request without delay, including allowing me to get a photo of her and her taking a photo of us.

I could go on about being a bright light to our world and if ever our world needed more smiles and service like this, it does today! How much more would we want to “bless” those who come with a heart of a servant in excellence and quality customer service? St. Francis said, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and sometimes use words." The beautiful young woman is preaching the good news every day with her happy heart and encouraging smile.

Whether in the service industry or the servant-of-God-ministry (and we should always be in the latter as devoted followers of Christ), we should always be practicing the Golden Rule -- putting ourselves in other people’s chairs and treating them the way we would want to be treated in any given situation.

Service with a smile should be more than a catchy phrase. It should be a heartfelt, everyday commitment to exit the doors of our homes as people-pleasers, people-lovers, people-servers, and people who exemplify the good works of Jesus by bearing His fruit to a world that needs role models who make a difference.

Somebody Else Will

A dear friend of mine is having quite the year. She has faced personal health issues and as the director of an active, vibrant ministry – was loaded up with leading it in a major event, and was tremendously successful at it, I might add. She has two children getting married this year (one this weekend), and has a full-time job -- not to mention all the other hands-on and necessary things she does for God and her family. She has been loaded up, to say the least. A few months ago, I campaigned the troops to get behind her in support. My personal attempts were meager. In the back of my mind, I thought “someone else” will help her because I'm loaded up, too! In fact, I heard of a couple of gals who were helping her which made me feel better.

Fast forward a couple of months when I saw my friend at church and asked. “How are you doing? How are the wedding plans? It won’t be long before it’s all behind you.” My famous last meager and inadequate words of solace. That night, Deacon Alex Barbieri spoke about “Somebody Else”. He explained: “Jesus was very hands-on with His disciples – teaching them about feeding a crowd with just a few loaves and fishes." The disciples seemed to always have self-doubt and were always asking the question: “What about us?” Jesus just kept influencing them by saying “You are up for the challenge. You are bold and courageous." Jesus takes our “measly” remnants to meet us wherever we are and whatever situation we are in. Don’t wait for Plan B. Use what you’ve got right now to help someone. It’s time you make a personal commitment. The DNA of Christians is called "service". Jesus said, ”If you follow Me, the bar is higher." Jesus was saying “Instead of SOMEONE ELSE doing it – YOU do it." There is someone who died and the family needs us. There are immigrants, prisoners, homeless and others who need us, but we keep thinking: “Someone else will take care of them!” Jesus is saying: “JUST DO IT!”

I couldn’t get that message off my mind and my heart. I texted my friend: “I’ve got a free day tomorrow! Can I come over and help you?” Her lightning fast reply was my assurance that I was hearing right. She invited me to come over and help her iron tablecloths for the wedding. Rather, than that, I picked them up and at my home I took care of the job so she had the time to do something else on her busy to-do list. It took me a couple of days for those thirty-one 144” tablecloths to iron and hang – which included my prayers for the wedding and the family. That was eight hours of blessing on both our parts. Tablecloths. A cup of cold water. In His name. Blessed.

This time it wasn’t “somebody else”. It was me. I’m so thankful I said, “Pick me!” Lord, help me to always have the time to sense your nudges, hear your call, see the needs of others and respond as your hands and feet. I want to be a “JUST DO IT” kind-of-girl for You and others, because You are a "JUST DID IT" Lord for me!

This Season May Be About "Ministry"

Following God's lead, looks like this for me for a few days (see photos). I’m here in Austin on a “ministry” call to see after my youngest grandson for a couple of days before his big brother gets home from camp up in Seattle, and then we’ll have Nana/Bryson/Brennan fun for a couple of days before their Mom and Dad get back home.

I don’t call it a “duty” call, because a “duty” call sounds like an obligation. A “ministry” call is an honor and an important mission to serve. I know that “ministry” typically has a vocational meaning (pastors, ministers, missionaries, priests, etc.). But out of all of our devotion to Christ and our love for others, He asked us to serve alongside Him. “Ministry" comes from the Greek word diakoneo, which means "to serve”. Jesus provided the pattern for Christian ministry—He came, not to receive service, but to give it. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

We know, intuitively, that we are to love and serve. That’s what Mark 10:45 is all about. Jesus did not merely come as another prophet or teacher or philosopher. He came to do two things. One: to give His life as a ransom for many. And He came, secondly, to serve His disciples so that His disciples will serve others.

As a young Mom and wife, my early-on “ministry” was to tend to my family's needs, raising them up in a Godly and loving home. My family was my first “ministry”. “Ministry” was my mission for many years as I was the caregiver for my precious mother. She lived with us for many years, and after that, she lived in a Senior Apartment Complex where I visited and/or called her daily, took care of her in sickness and in health, and helped her make life decisions. “Ministry” was my mission when my precious husband became seriously ill and I was his 24/7 nurse and caregiver. I never assumed those roles as obligations or duties – it was a season of “following God’s lead” and responding with “Here am I. Send me. Use me.”

This present season has afforded me the rich rewards of serving and praying for my family -- supporting them and when asked, give my advice and wisdom. It’s also a season of loving and supporting my friends and others who need an encouraging word and even practical servitude. I find that Facebook is another area of “ministry” to be on the daily assignment of giving fresh words from God’s heart to mine, to yours. I don’t take my assignments or opportunities to serve, lightly. And, I don’t do what I do in my own strength because as I said yesterday and re-emphasize today….I’m following my LEADER. He leads. I follow. He serves. I serve. How about you?

Improving "Our Serve"

#TBT -- Today is the ultimate #throwbackthursday.
Years ago, my husband was the Director of a Christian Summer Youth Camp in Oklahoma. He pretty well “ran the show” – the camp activities, schedules, oversaw all the camp leaders, counselors, and volunteers, the daily outdoor church services, etc. I oversaw the kitchen, the meals and serving the campers and volunteers. Other than the satisfaction of seeing those hungry, then satisfied campers, there wasn’t much glory being a kitchen volunteer. The days were long, early morning to late, and without air conditioning...very warm, while standing on our tired, hurting feet from those hard, concrete floors. By the end of the week, our poor feet had had it. The last day, to our amazement, Ron and a few other camp leaders came to the dining room and kitchen, and asked all of us kitchen workers to sit down and with basins and towels, they commenced to serve us by washing our tired and weary feet and praying blessings on us for our service. Tears of gratitude fell from our eyes. Our service had been noticed and we were rewarded by hearts of servitude to us.

So, I can only imagine, after their Passover Meal together, the shock and wonder when Jesus’ disciples saw Him take up the basin and the towel and began to wash their feet. He was their Master! He was their Lord! In the days of Jesus, foot washing was typically done by the servants of one’s household, and it wasn’t exactly a glamorous job. People’s feet got really dry, dirty, calloused and cracked when they walked for miles in their sandals. To wash someone’s feet was truly an act of hospitality, servitude and humility. No wonder Peter told Jesus, “You will never wash my feet.” Not Jesus. Not his Master. Not ever. But, Jesus, the One Who was celebrated as a King just days before, became a Servant and to Peter He said, "Unless I wash you, you won't belong to me." Peter replied “Lord, not just my feet! Wash my hands and my head too!”

There Jesus, with His wash basin and His towel, knelt in front of them one by one and washed their feet, calluses and all. When He was done, He told them why. “I’m setting an example for you. You also should do what I have done to you.” In that moment, I wonder if the disciples finally ‘got it’. They had been hand-selected by Jesus from the crowds, so they were special. But Jesus didn’t call them from the crowds of farmers and fishermen so that they would enjoy a greater status. He called them to serve, to carry on His ministry of loving and caring for people. I’m sure they must have thought “What in the world are we going to do?”

Jesus prepared His disciples to carry on. I think that’s Jesus’ message to you and me, too. Today, we are the ones standing in front of people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, who are all suffering from their own brokenness and in need of a Savior. Like the disciples having those “What in the world are we going to do?” moments, so do we. And like the disciples remembering His example, with His wash basin and towel, so also do we remember. He’s saying, “See? It’s simple. I’m sending you out into the world, into those crowds of people from whom I called you. Your job? Just love them.”

It certainly gives me pause for asking the question: "Am I a devoted follower of Christ....even to the cross to bear witness of Him and His love for me?" I continue to take those words of Peter to Jesus to heart today. "Lord, wash me, cleanse me, purify me so that I too may be presented as a vessel of honor to You. I've said it before, I say it again "The purer the vessel the greater the flow". What an incredible flow of mercy, love, forgiveness, servitude and sacrifice that flowed from Jesus then, and continues to flow to us today. Oh Lord, may we be your servants today -- to follow, serve and love You, and others, as You served and loved.

Unplugged

Day 53 of Photo Inspirations -- UNPLUGGED!!
I just returned home from a 3-day; 3-night ACTS Retreat where I was completely unplugged from technology -- can you even imagine that I could survive without my computer, social media or my phone OR a clock or watch for that long?

Most of you know I'm ALWAYS on my phone, talking about mobile services, texting, checking emails -- it's my business.  You know I'm always on social media -- it's my mission to bring light to the world.   And, probably most importantly, is my watch -- that provides my ability to be on-time for this and that --  for when I get up, when I'm at my next meeting, when I eat, when I go to bed.   But, this weekend -- it was all about ESSENTIALS -- essentials like meeting with other women, meeting with God,  and giving devotion and 100% focus on Him.   And it was exactly what I needed.

There are no adequate words to describe the refreshing I received just from cutting lose of the chains that held me captive......and I didn't even realize it.  My heart is full to overflowing of the awe and wonder and absolute life-transformation that took place in me and the others.  Indeed, the acronym for ACTS: adoration, community, theology and service -- all became so tangibly real to me by beautiful women who welcomed us into a place of all-out abandonment from distractions for full-on pursuing of intimate time with God.

Now that I'm back home -- unpacking and getting reaquainted with business-as- usual, routines, expectations from others, dealing with life and all the stuff that life brings, I still will draw from the peaceful waters of peace, reflection, simplicity of listening to His still small voice even in the noisy chaos of this busy world.  I know I'll find Him there -- because it's not about the noise or the lack of it -- it's about Him and me -- finding a moment here and a moment there to continue whispering sweet words into each other's ears -- recognizing Him in the wind, the snow, the savory smells in the air and in a warm home, in the bustling of little children running around, in the smile and touch of a friend.  I will still find a place to BE STILL and KNOW HE IS GOD.

Improve Your "Serve"

It’s Holy Thursday – and we recount the Last Supper when Jesus, the greatest of ALL, was servant of ALL, as He washed His disciples’ feet. He, with the towel and basin, is the KING of the universe. The same hands that shaped the earth, the stars and the moon, washed away grime and filth. He wanted his disciples to know how much He loved them. Jesus knew they were about to betray and deny Him, yet He loved and SERVED them. Such extravagant love – such excessive SERVICE. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

Christ certainly talked the TALK as He walked the WALK. He led by example. Such love -- such service! It sure inspires me to improve my “SERVE”!

The Donkey -- Jesus' Limo

Happy Palm Sunday! Today, we celebrate our Lord's triumphant entrance into Jerusalem where He was welcomed by crowds praising and worshipping Him and laying down palm leaves to honor Him. The palms, the "hosanas", the worship and praise is typically our focus today.

But, I'd like to add some focus to the donkey -- he was Jesus' special "ride" into Jerusalem. That little donkey did what he could do. His greatest calling in life was to answer the invitation of the Master when He called, “I have need of him!” He was a “limo” for the King. He was only a donkey, but he did what he could do!

Isn’t that the way our “love” service should be for Him. When He says, “I have need of you”, our greatest response should be, “Here I am Lord, send me! I will do what I can do!” So I'll start with what I can do today -- praising, worshipping and declaring "Hosanna in the Highest -- all praise, honor and glory be to You, Lord Jesus Christ!"