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Sue Charlton 

‘Now that I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet’ John 13 v 5-8

I have always been amazed at the intimacy of this scene and the profound nature of his command. Jesus, our Lord and God stripping to his waist to wash the dirty feet of his disciples the night before he was to be crucified.

It is no secret that I am a little obsessed with my allotment! Tilling the soil, planting and nurturing crops for us and flowers for pollinators provides exercise and the healing powers of being closer to God’s wonderful creation in nature. After a few dry days, I begin to get twitchy about watering. My plans, especially in these lock-down days, revolve around watering needs.

There are many stories in the Bible involving water – for drinking, cleansing and healing – sometimes in real situations, sometimes in symbolic acts. Without water, there can be no life.
By midday today, I had turned my taps on a dozen times to wash myself, clothes and dishes and make coffee. How lucky are we, when so many across the world may have to walk miles every day for just the essentials of water for drinking and cooking?

At the beginning of Christian Aid week we remember that they are working hard through their networks of church partners to reach the most vulnerable in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean; to provide soap, water and handwashing training and to help delay or even prevent infection.

I will continue to think of Jesus’ command to serve each other as I use water and do my best to help Christian Aid serve those we cannot see but do know about. One bar of soap, one bucket at a time, will help our neighbours!

Christian Aid Prayer:
May your love that never fails, strengthen the weak, encourage the faithful, calm the anxious, heal the sick. Through your Church – you washed hands and feet on earth. Distant but still present, virtual but still connected, apart but still helping.
Hear our prayer, Amen.
Go to www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/emergencies to find out more and donate if you can.