Today's daily devotion

Comfort From a Distance

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet you should also wash one another’s feet.—JOHN 13:14 (NLT)

When my mother-in-law, Marie, was dying, my husband, son and I lived a thousand miles away. Still, we made sure to spend Christmas that year at Marie’s house.

One gift I thought of to give Marie was to rub lotion on her feet to help her relax and fall asleep. I took my time with the gentle massage, and after a while, I’d hear her breathing change and know she’d fallen asleep.

In the New Year, daily reports from Marie’s best friend let us know that she was failing fast. I knew we wouldn’t see her again. I struggled to know how to pray for her (and for me).

One day when I was praying, I remembered the joy of rubbing my mother-in-law’s feet. I contemplated each recalled detail: loosening up her calf muscles, rubbing the left ball of her foot, her right heel, each toe from her big toe down to her pinkie. I took my time just as I had when I was there.

Her best friend called me the next day with news. “Marie had a good day yesterday. She was so calm and slept really well.”

Our conversation drifted. I told her that I didn’t know how to pray for Marie anymore. “Yesterday all I did was remember rubbing her feet.”

“I bet that is the very reason Marie had such a good day yesterday. She got a foot massage and God let her feel it.”

Thank you Father, that even uncertain prayers are acceptable offerings to you on behalf of our loved ones.

Adapted from