He Took A Towel

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“He took a towel and tied it around his waist…and began to wash the disciples’ feet…”

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My Lent has been quite a desert. Pretty much anything and everything I hoped to accomplish in March never happened. Instead, we all got sick, for over a week. And then we had just enough time to clean up the house and recover (though at least a few of us are still trying to kick the lingering cough) before we left on a spring break trip to see family. And before the sickness and the trip, I realized that in our homeschool,

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some things were going to take longer than expected. My menu plan barely happened last month. I don’t even have a plan started for April. While I had planned to workout 3 or more times a week, I might have squeezed in some exercise 3 times total last month. I might have sat at the sewing machine 4 times. My photographs are so far behind in editing and organizing that I have nearly seriously considering ditching that hobby. My toddler’s sleep was improving, now we’re clawing our way out of a pit of sleep-death, in which he reverted to nursing and needing constant physical contact, by way of laying completely on top of me.

And here I am, on Holy Thursday, realizing that this Lent was so perfectly planned by our Father for me that it’s almost funny.

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I’m not a type-A, but I do like to have a plan. I LOVE to craft, bake, and celebrate the seasons in nifty and exciting ways. Often that means decorating the mantle in a special way, having liturgically themed meals and activities, getting cards out to family on time…you get the idea.

NOTHING that I wanted to do happened. EVERYTHING was scrapped, and I found myself not even able to read a book like I wanted (and it was about the Last Supper!! I mean, come ON! How appropriate was my timing on choosing that one?!).

But you know what? This Lent, God gave me what I needed: a chance to die to myself and my plans, embrace Him in prayer and trust, and learn to serve without regretting what I was missing from my less-than-perfect plans.

I have had to take a towel and serve.

I bet Jesus had plenty of ideas which would have been amazing during his three years’ ministry. I bet he never groaned or whined when more people came to him and begged for his help and healing.

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The Lent I’ve walked this year has started teaching me to stop grumbling when my plans are trumped by service, love, and ministry. These six weeks have been about denial, refocusing on the needs in front of me, being Jesus’ hands and feet to my family. It’s my domestic church. My little corner of the world where I am put to minister, to these specific people, day in and day out. And these six weeks have been like a boot-camp of weeding out distractions and selfish desires of things I’d rather do, and replacing them with the willing and joyful service of my family.

It’s been about taking a towel, wrapping it around my waist, and focusing on the present needs of my family, just as Jesus focused on the present needs of disciples. Did he plan to do that, from the beginning? I don’t know. I realize that Jesus being God, knows/knew all things, but part of me believes that even he, being human, had an idea of what he hoped to do, but being surrounded by humans who are unpredictable and needy, knew he’d have to meet their needs before he could do what he meant to do that day. But meeting the needs of the people is what he meant to do…and what he calls me to do in my family.

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I’m going to be learning this for a long time. It’s taken me since 3a.m. to knock these rambling thoughts out, because needs come first. I sure would prefer to blog when I wake up, with a hot cup of tea or coffee sitting on my desk, with no interruptions…but interruptions are the call for me to live my vocation.

Speaking of those “interruptions”…one of them is giggling on my lap as he pushes the keyboard shelf back under the desk. Time to take up that towel again.

Have a blessed and holy Triduum, my friends. And see you again when we are Easter people and we can sing Alleluia.

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6 Comments

  1. This was beautiful, Gina! It all rings so true. Thanks for writing this, as I needed this reminder of “serving like Christ” for myself.

  2. I’ve been right there with you this whole lent! We’ve managed to be sick every other week. And these last two weeks have been back to back sickness coupled with allergic reactions by both boys to different things at different times. Its been a season of doing. Like you said, picking up my towel. So beautiful, Gina! Pray you get some rest soon! <3

  3. Beautifully said, thank you. I sometimes wonder as I find myself going from one kid to another and one interruption after another if I’m not being too much like Martha and not enough like Mary. However, before (and sometimes after) I throw my hands up in the air, I remember that all mothers by need alone must be called to be more Martha than Mary when they have little kids to look after. Most of my times spent being Mary has to be done at night when all are asleep, and sometimes, not even then. It’s a daily struggle.

    By the way, the picture of the married hands in the car- it’s great- it really conveys love.

  4. I dont know what it is about Lent that makes it rarely go as planned. But that’s when you seen to get the most out of it, it seems! Very nice to meet you here on your blog, I’ve enjoyed my look around!~

  5. I found your blog through Instagram and just wanted to leave a comment to say you are inspiring as a mother and a Catholic! Your way with words used to capture the humbling and authentic day to day tasks is comforting to read, and also very insightful! Will definitely be following your posts.

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