The Wedding Gift

One of the moments in Scripture that has always stayed with me is when Jesus girded Himself with a towel, poured water into a basin, and washed the feet of His disciples.

The King of kings became a servant.

He wasn’t simply washing dirty feet. He was modeling the kind of life He was calling us to live—a life of humility, sacrifice, and service. He was showing us what it looks like to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and then to love and serve those He places in front of us.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
— John 13:14

Many years ago, a friend asked if we would cater the brunch for her wedding. As we prepared the food and watched the ceremony, anticipating serving the guests afterward, something happened that I have never forgotten.

During the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom removed their shoes and washed each other’s feet.

It was simple.

It was quiet.

It was incredibly powerful.

Right there, before family and friends, they demonstrated what they believed marriage would be—not about who would be served, but about serving one another.

That picture never left me.

Years later, two dear friends of mine, both named Dave, who had faithfully served alongside me—one serving in Mexico and the other through our ministry at the Ronald McDonald House—shared some wonderful news. Dave’s son was marrying Dave’s daughter.

As I sat down to write a prayer for them, my thoughts immediately returned to that wedding ceremony and the basin of water.

I found myself writing about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and what it means for a husband and wife to continually humble themselves before one another, drawing closer to Christ as they serve each other in love.

As I finished writing, another thought came to mind.

Instead of simply writing about it, why not give them something they could hold in their hands?

So I purchased a basin, a pitcher, a brush, a bar of soap, and a towel—the simple items needed to wash someone’s feet. I included the prayer and gave it to them as a wedding gift.

Since then, whenever I learn that a friend’s son or daughter is getting married, I often send the same gift.

It all started with watching one young couple live out the words of Jesus.

One act of obedience.

One prayer.

One simple reminder that love is expressed through serving.

I don’t know who Jesus may be asking you to serve today.

Maybe it’s someone who is hurting.

Maybe it’s someone who simply needs encouragement.

Maybe it’s your spouse.

Or maybe it’s a young couple beginning their journey together, needing a reminder that a Christ-centered marriage isn’t built on keeping score—it’s built on humbly serving one another.

As I look at this simple collection of items—a basin, a pitcher, a brush, a bar of soap, and a towel—I don’t just see a wedding gift. I see a reminder of the life Jesus modeled for every one of us.

Sometimes the greatest gifts we give aren’t expensive.

They’re reminders of the heart of Christ.

And sometimes one simple act of service becomes a lifelong ministry of encouragement.

So today, look around.

Who is Jesus asking you to serve?

Whose feet might He be asking you to wash—not literally perhaps, but through humility, kindness, forgiveness, generosity, or simply being present?

May we always keep a basin nearby, a towel within reach, and the heart of a servant ready to love as Christ first loved us.