My childhood best friend, who is still one of my best friends today, has always been spiritually mature. I remember as a kid she used to tell me that she could hear God talk to her. The first time she told me this, I honestly thought, “yea, ok…Do you really mean you can hear him, or is that just something you’re saying because that’s what you’ve heard, and you just know right from wrong?” After that first time though, she continued to tell me about things she could hear God tell her. I began to grow jealous of her ability to hear God’s voice. I grew up always thinking God only spoke to her, and not me, because she was “chosen” and that she was more special to Him for some reason.

Boy was I wrong! Flash forward about 10 years, give or take, and that’s where my story of hearing God’s voice began. Now before I go into this part of my testimony, I need to give you a little bit of background.

I was raised going to church. We went to church basically every time the doors were open. I knew of God, and I believed He was real. I also knew that different denominations had different traditions but, was not accustomed to other church traditions aside from what I had grown up learning. When Jake, my now husband, and I began dating, we started talking about me going to church one Sunday with him. I asked him what church his family went to, and what the services were like, so I would be mentally prepared (I like to know what to expect when I go to new places). He told me that his mom went to a church and that on Wednesday nights they did a foot washing ceremony. I was totally taken aback, and even told him, “yea, it may be a minute before I’m ready to go there on a Wednesday night.” He then told me about the church his dad attended, and I decided that was the “safer” option for me. I was avoiding the foot washing at all costs, and was terrified that they may change things up and do the ceremony on the Sunday I was there.

OK, back to where we were. The church that Jake’s dad attended, mentioned above, became mine and Jake’s home church. As I was sitting in the comfort of my usual Sunday morning pew, our preacher preached his sermon, and then told the congregation that we were going to have a foot washing ceremony. I instantly became nervous and my heart started racing! Our preacher and his wife were at the front, and he invited any one who wanted to partake to come forward. I watched as my in-laws started taking off their shoes and then watched to see what Jake was going to do. I had no reason to be nervous because this was not required, however it was in that moment that I first truly heard/felt God speak to me.

As I looked around with a racing heart, I very clearly heard, “Go.” My initial reply……”NO! Are you crazy?!?” Now, when I tell you that my heart was racing, I don’t mean just a little bit. My heart was racing faster than it ever had before, and I was visibly shaking. I continued to hear, “Go. This was meant for you. Go.” I remember thinking, “This is because I said I didn’t want to be a part of a foot washing ceremony, isn’t it?!” Then I continued to think of every possible reason NOT to go forward: I’m wearing boots and my feet are probably gross and smelly, I’m still fairly new to this church, people will judge me, etc.

After a few seconds, that felt like an eternity, passed, I knew that this was absolutely something God was telling me to do. I needed to obey His voice. I looked at Jake and, just to gauge his reaction, said, “I think I’m gonna go up there.” Looking back I think I was looking for him to say, “No babe, you really don’t have to.” Or even an, “Ok, I’ll go with you.” His actual response was made in a very supportive voice, “Ok! Go for it!” At that point God took over.

I started unzipping my boots and taking off my socks. Somehow I ended up in the chair at the front, and sat in front of my preacher’s wife. She was sitting with her back to the congregation and when I sat down I noticed she was crying. She immediately put her hand out for my foot, dipped a washcloth into a bin of water, and started to wash my foot. She was crying the whole time. As soon as my foot hit her hand, I felt guilty. I felt unworthy. I thought, “What makes you think you deserve to have someone wash your feet?” I felt so bad that this woman was washing my feet. It was a pure act of love that I had never experienced. The whole process lasted a minute or two, if even that long. When she finished, we were both in tears, and I immediately went to the altar.

While praying at the altar, I had no words. I was so taken aback about how the experience made me feel. Little did I know God wasn’t done with me.

As soon as I got back to my pew I started putting my socks and shoes back on. I then watched my preacher’s wife. She sat in her chair, still with her back to the congregation, and was crying. For some reason, I felt so bad for her. Here she was selflessly giving everyone the opportunity to have their feet washed and wasn’t expecting anything in return. In that moment, God spoke to me again. “Go wash her feet.” When I heard this I really just told myself, “well that’s a sweet thought. Someone should do that, just NOT ME!” God spoke to me again, “Go wash her feet!”

I truly believe it was in that instant that the Holy Spirit took over. Before I knew it, I was out of my seat and my hand was on her back. “Can I wash your feet?” I asked her. She looked up at me, nodded her head, and started taking off her shoes and socks. I mimicked what she had done while washing my feet and began to cry. This was the most humbling thing I have ever been a part of. It’s really hard to even put into words how that day made me feel. I felt guilty and unworthy, yet loved and valued all at the same time.

During the last supper, Jesus washed His disciples feet. He even washed Judas’ feet, who betrayed Him, and Peter’s feet, who would go on to deny Him three times. Jesus wants us to serve others just as He did. Even those who betray and deny us. He wants us to love like He does. Despite all of our sins, to God, we are worthy, we are loved, we are redeemed, and we should all humble ourselves and “wash each other’s feet.”

God speaks to all who listen for His voice. Sometimes I’ll get this feeling like I need to do something, or even go back and get something I forgot. A lot of times we say that this was our gut instinct. I like to think it was God watching out for me and guiding me along life’s path. If you were like me as a young child, and can’t hear God’s voice, try praying for Him to speak to you. The most important part? LISTEN! You’ll know when it’s Him!

Challenge 1: Pray for God to speak to you. Listen and be ready for what He has to say! Most of the time it will take you out of your comfort zone.

Challenge 2: Do something to serve someone or a group of people around you. Try to be anonymous if possible and don’t expect anything in return. I promise, you will be blessed!