Great and miraculous events with wonderful and dedicated believers fill my ministry. God blesses in spite of our inadequacies. Someone shared with me a divine moment at one of my former pastorates and it happened during our evening services named Discipleship. Discipleship was that Sunday gathering of the saints that started as BYPU, then Training Union, later Church Training, and finally Discipleship Training. Most churches do not have Sunday night services or Discipleship Training and we wonder why Good Old Southern Baptists fall for the latest Spiritual Gimmick or “mystical pony show.”
Less I digress, Ms. Faye was a Discipleship leader who was
not only a great teacher of God’s Word, but was one of the most compassionate
persons I have had the opportunity to serve.
It was unbelievable how sweet, encouraging, and caring she
was considering the ferociousness of her two brothers, both who happened to be my
high school football coaches. Their
encouragement was, “Hopper give me twenty-five pushups and try and get it right
this time. Faye, and husband Raymond, were
mentors in my life.
The divine moment occurred when Faye entered the all-ladies Discipleship
class of Friendship Baptist Church with a towel and bowl. She commented to the ladies that she was not
disrobing as Jesus did but she wanted to wash their feet.
She did not have any water, but she symbolically washed the
feet of each of the ladies of her Discipleship class. Getting down her knees she, spoke of the
Scripture from the Gospel of John: He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments;
and took a towel, and girded himself.
After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the
disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter
saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but
thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith
unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee
not, thou hast no part with me (13:4-8 KJV).
Faye is a remarkable believer demonstrating love, mercy, and
forgiveness. The ladies of her class
understood the sacrifice she made as she humbled herself by the act of getting on her knees.
Faye was a breast cancer survivor.
The last time I saw her was June
28, 2017 at Brother Raymond’s funeral, which I did his eulogy. The ravages of time, heartache, and
cancer consumed her frail little body.
She tried to hug my neck, but could not raise her arm above her shoulder,
a side effect from breast cancer.
The ladies that were the recipient of her love for them will
never forget her act of humility and service.
Faye understood that we are all sinners in need of a Savior and friends
that will bow in humility to pray for those of us that are struggling with the
cares of life and the attacks of the evil one.
Faye, along with several other ladies, went to Shocco
Springs Baptist Retreat in
Faye noticed that Ms. Douglas never talked about admitting
she was a sinner and experienced salvation by the blood of Jesus. Faye was convinced that Ms. Douglas had never
experienced salvation and wanted to know for certain. Faye witnessed to her. That is the kind and compassionate person
that Faye was.
Donna Douglas died from pancreatic cancer on January 1, 2015. Five years later, July 26, 2020 Ms. Faye joined her in Heaven. I had the honor and privilege to say final words about my wonderful friend. One of my favorite stories from her happened at a red light. Her car stalled and she could not start it. A man behind her honked his horn. Faye went to his car and said, "If you will start my car, I will honk your horn." That was my Faye.
Just as Jesus and Faye washed the feet of those they loved,
churches, certain pastors, and cherished members of Bethel Baptist Association
washed my feet for fourteen years. They
provided me opportunities to use gifts that I never realized God entrusted
me. These dear saints have been
complimentary, generous, and most of all, encouragers to me. There is no way to say thank them enough for their
support and faithfulness. I am humbled
when I think of our precious moments together.
Thank you for “washing my feet.”
Philippians 1:6
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