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Key Bible Verse: "Since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet" John 13:14. Bonus Reading: John 13:3-17

Every Wednesday afternoon, Richard Selzer visits his public library to mix it up with elders by the newspaper rack. As the young doctor held the door for one wobbly gent in his 80s, he apologized for his gait, saying, "The hinges is rusty." As "Neckerchief" sat down to read Time magazine, he hissed softly in pain.

"The hinges?" the doctor whispered.

"Nope. The toes."

"What's wrong with them?"

"The nails is too long. I can't get at 'em. I'm walkin' on 'em." Richard slipped out to his office to fetch the toenail cutters. Returning, he told Neckerchief, "Come to the men's room. I'll cut your toenails."

"Don't untie my shoes," the old man cautioned. "I just slide 'em on and off." Doc peeled away two pairs of socks, revealing dried blood and big toes resembling goat horns. It took an hour to remove those claws and cleanse the toes. Once his socks and shoes were back on, Necker-chief stood up and tested his feet. "That's a Cadillac of a job!" he exclaimed. "It don't hurt. How much do I owe ya?"

"On the house," Doctor Selzer replied. Now he always brings nail clippers, and later on trimmed the toenails of "Stovepipe," then of "Mrs. Fringe" (tying up the ladies' room for half an hour).

—Ted Engstrom and Paul Cedar in Compassionate Leadership

My Response: What professionals have you observed engaged in self-effacing service?

Thought to Apply: God is not looking for more stars; he's looking for more servants.—Howard Hendricks

Adapted from Compassionate Leadership (Regal, 2006) by permission.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

You said, Lord, that as we serve those in need we encounter you. Allow me to experience your presence as I represent you.

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