On the First Day of Unleavened Bread last year, I had the opportunity for a private lesson on foot-washing. We have a member who is 100 years old here in the Nashville congregation. Eleanor Allen has been in the Church for over 50 years and is such an example and encouragement to all of us that have the pleasure of knowing her. Her old body is frail and feeble, but her mind is very much intact. She is bedridden for the most part.

Recently, her son-in-law who is 79 fell and broke his hip. Her daughter, who takes care of Mrs. Allen, now has to take care of her husband who also has Parkinson’s disease. Immediately when this happened the ladies of our congregation sprang into action. One of the ladies went to stay with Mrs. Allen while they took her son-in law to the hospital. Since then, five ladies from our congregation have taken turns going up to stay with Mrs. Allen and help with her needs. They have a schedule where they each take one day a week to go care for this precious lady.

During this time, I’ve had ample opportunity to “sit at Mrs. Allen’s feet” and learn from the wisdom of her nearly 100 years on this planet. She has taught me much about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and long-suffering—oh wait, that list looks familiar!

That day was my turn to spend the day with her. It occurred to me when I was helping her get a pan-bath, as I sat down on the floor to wash her feet, that I was literally being given this opportunity to do what our Lord Jesus Christ had demonstrated for us to do just a couple of nights before on the Passover. I am so very thankful that God has given me the privilege of helping care for this precious saint.

I’m learning from spending time with her how difficult it is for people, especially the elderly that have been independent all of their lives, to humble themselves and accept help graciously instead of being the help-giver. She is still striving to build character and be transformed to be more like our older Brother. Mrs. Allen is such an example for me of patient endurance in the face of suffering. I am truly seeing godly women serve in the way that Jesus Christ asked us to.

I thank God for the most meaningful Passover season so far.  

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).