Ph.D. in Humility

Washing of the Feet, a seragraph by John August Swanson

Artist's note: "The theme of this picture encourages us to show love for all and true humility of spirit. . .We are called to treat all with respect and to serve in our community in different capacities."

When I was a camp counselor in South Dakota, especially at NeSoDak which is situated on a lake, we would sometimes do foot washings with the campers to remember how we are supposed to live a life of humility like Jesus did. Once in a seminary course, Bob and classmates also were lead by their instructor to wash eachother's feet. In both cases there are people, me being one, who stand away saying it's not for them. It's one thing for Jesus to teach it and illustrate how to do it. But really, we can get the concept without actually having to do it ourselves. True.

It's not a problem for Bob, though. He offered to wash everyone's feet in the class. He had washed feet for 17 years, essentially, in his work as a prosthetist and orthotist. Fitting and fabricating braces and artificial limbs. He was all over New York City in people's homes, casting feet, and then wiping off the plaster residue when completed. Not everyone in his shop could do that either. Bob was the first person that the boss would send out, especially to the tough clients in the rough neighborhoods.

When Bob was in the valley of the shadow of death, his skin was like that of a burn patient's or at least as we imagine. We opened up the Supersonic Spa, operating around the clock in our apartment in order to bring some small relief to the burning. Foot washing was one of the spa's main events.

So this morning of the Bob Speirs Family benefit, I am thinking about humility. And how it comes to you even when you think you're doing pretty good. I'm quite humble enough, is the catch 22 of that. Even one month into Bob's sickness we both told God that we are humbled, alright already, enough already, we got the message, now please take this sickness away. 2 months. 3,4,5,6 months later.

Advanced education in Humility, Love, Kindness, Gratitude, Grace. Is there anything else worth learning? It's been amazing. I hope you will go to the artist's website and see more of his works. http://johnaugustswanson.com

With love, T

P.S. There is a John August Swanson exhibit presently at our church gallery, Christ Church on Capitol Hill in St. Paul, where they're hosting the benefit.