An Act of Humility

Washing my aged father’s feet brought me deep spiritual healing.

This act of humility on my part was the same action Jesus performed with His disciples as a demonstration of how to be a good servant and a reminder to be one. At the ripe old age of ninety, my father no longer remembered a lot of things due to the ravages of Alzheimer’s. But I had harbored much guilt in my heart over the hurt I had caused my father many years before. I left home as a teenager to get out on my own because I wanted to make my own decisions about how to live my life. I thought I was grown enough to make good choices away from the watchful eyes of my Christian parents. However, I made the mistake of entrusting my life to a man who did not have my best interests at heart. When he learned that I was pregnant, he immediately insisted I have an abortion—something that was illegal at that time.

A close friend who believed in Christ counseled me against having an abortion. I listened to his wise counsel. My mother insisted I return home, against my father’s wishes. He was very disappointed when I returned and brought shame to the family. How could he, a preacher with a pregnant, unwed daughter, lead a flock when his own child had strayed so far? Now, as a grown, responsible adult, I poured warm water into a basin and lovingly washed my father’s feet in reverent respect. A lot of grace went into this act of humility.

God had graciously given me this opportunity as a way of apologizing to my father for the disregard I had shown toward some of the biblical teachings he had tried to pour into the lives of his children so they could have a rich spiritual relationship with the Lord that he loved and served. My son, now fully grown, has been a blessing to our family.

He was a good caregiver to his stepfather and his grandfather in their later years. He spent quality time with them, meeting many of their mental and physical needs when they were no longer able to do so for themselves. One day I hope to wash my son’s feet.

I want to let him know how much I appreciate his service to our family.

As with my father, doing so will be an act of humility—an acknowledgment of God’s gracious love and mercy.

Fartema Mae Fagin