Beautiful Feet

How can we pray for you, Colleen?  This most kind inquiry was presented to me on a Sunday, in August, about ten years ago.  My answer, “Please pray for my feet!”  It was an immediate reply.  Not pretty.  Not cautiously crafted to guard my vulnerabilities or give a lofty spiritual response.  It was not about relationship- or community-building.  It was not about stamina, or fortitude, or thriving on little sleep.  It was about my size eights.  

Truthfully, though, to be low on stamina and sleep, not to mention kindness and grace and mercy, because of aching feet – this honestly can impact relationship- and community-building.  And so in a moment of sincere honesty, I blurted out “Please pray for my feet this week!”    

It was a more physically healthy week than in past years, with improved stamina and the wherewithal to serve with more kindness and grace.  I was so happy to thank my friend the next Sunday for praying for my feet.  And so began one of my personal Vacation Bible School traditions.   

The week of August 3-7 will be our VBS community event this Summer.  The Bible text our event is built upon is the 23rd Psalm … The Lord is my Shepherd … ahhh! 

However, the verse I am inviting you to consider today as we approach the final week of prep is found in the New Testament, the Book of Romans.  I love how the Apostle Paul presents the chain of connection and action for each link of that chain of someone’s heart being moved to Jesus … 

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”  Romans 10.13-15 

Carin Agor is, for her third year, leading the charge this Summer for our Vacation Bible School and I beg of you … pray for Carin, for her personal and physical well-being, for spiritual wisdom and abundant grace, for joy over every answered prayer! Pray for God’s specific guard over her family. Thank the Lord for this kind, gracious, and thorough woman of God!   

Pray for the team – a group of more than 50 persons – some who have been months-long in their preparation and prayer over every aspect of this community welcoming event. 

Pray for the community – the parents who will bring their children and invite the neighbors.  Who will wash the VBS t-shirt every night and help kids with a memory verse and listen patiently to an explanation of the captivating science experiment, and the retelling of the Bible story that means … there is a Shepherd who loves me and keeps me safe and will never let me go! 

O, Lord, hear our prayers that many children will come daily; that each child You draw to PCC’s Vacation Bible School will hear the gospel and come to know You as their Lord and Savior! 

With all my grateful heart (and feet), Colleen