Sitting

In the spring of 2021, my dad was admitted to the hospital after a fall in the bathroom. He landed with his back against the rim of the toilet, impacting his kidneys. The fall led to cognitive concerns and prompted the medical staff to conduct a thorough evaluation. That evaluation revealed kidney cancer, and before long, my dad was placed on hospice care. He remained bedridden for the duration of his hospice journey, a season that lasted nearly two years.

During that time, I lived with my mom and dad, helping them navigate the challenges of this new season of life. Looking back, I recognize it as a sweet and poignant gift. Although it was difficult, it provided precious opportunities for connection, care, and simply being together.

I find myself reflecting on that season now as my husband faces circumstances that have placed his own mother on hospice. Once again, I am reminded of what it means to care for a loved one, to draw near, and to sit with someone through a tender and uncertain time.

The Gift of Sitting Together

When I think about sitting with my dad, I realize that even in our sitting, we were doing. We were participating in the simple, beautiful work of being present with one another. We played cribbage, watched television, and chatted about whatever came to mind. Nothing extraordinary was required. Our time together was meaningful simply because we were together.

There is a certain peace that comes from sitting with and caring for someone we love. It invites us to slow down, to set aside the demands of life, and to discover that person in new and perhaps deeper, richer ways. In those quiet moments with my dad, I came to see a side of him that I had not known as well before. Among his many attributes, I discovered that he had a fantastic sense of humor! I might never have experienced that side of him so fully had God not blessed me with the time we shared. What a beautiful reminder that sometimes the greatest gifts are found not in extraordinary moments but in the ordinary ones we are willing to receive.

Even when we meet someone for coffee, we are engaging in the work of connection. We sit together, catching up on work, family, and life. We ask questions, listen to what the other person shares, and discover what matters to them. Then we respond by sharing something of our own lives. Through this simple exchange, a relationship is nurtured.

I find it remarkable that God has made a way for us to connect through something as ordinary as sitting together. He uses our presence, our attention, and our willingness to listen to build relationships and deepen our love for one another.

And this leads me to reflect upon the phrase that is often quoted: “Sitting at the feet of Jesus.”

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

When we sit at the feet of Jesus, we, too, are engaged in the work of doing. Sitting with Him is not simply a passive posture but an invitation into relationship, surrender, and response. We might think of this sitting in both active and quiet ways. When we actively sit at the feet of Jesus, we praise and worship Him, like Psalm 100:2 says, “Come into his presence with singing!”. We give thanks, repent, and submit our will to His. We bring our prayers before Him, interceding for ourselves and for others. When we open His Word, we are allowing His truth to settle into our hearts and inviting His Spirit to shape us. We are seeking to know His heart and understand His ways. Like David, we too can say, “Make me to know your way, O Lord, teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long” (Psalm 25: 4-5). And even when we sit quietly, we are not doing nothing. We are listening. We are reflecting on His Word.

In every expression of sitting with Jesus, we are welcomed into the presence of His mercy and grace. Consider the account of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38–42. While Martha was occupied with the many tasks of hosting Jesus, Mary sat at His feet, listening to what He said. Jesus acknowledged Martha's concerns but drew attention to Mary's choice to be present with Him.

“But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42

Mary's posture reminds us that being with Jesus is not an interruption to the important things of life. Being with Him is itself a vital part of our life with God.

Just as sitting with my dad gave me the opportunity to know him in a deeper way, sitting at the feet of Jesus gives us the opportunity to know Him more intimately. We learn His heart, recognize His voice through His Word, and discover the depth of His love.

Perhaps this is one of the invitations God places before us in every season: to slow down, draw near, and be present. Whether we are sitting beside a loved one in a hospice room, sharing coffee with a friend, or resting quietly in the presence of Jesus, our sitting can become an offering of love. In the stillness, God creates space for connection, for understanding, and for grace.

The question is not whether we are doing something while we sit, but whether we are willing to be present with the One who is there. And when we sit at the feet of Jesus, we discover that He is not merely asking for our time. He is inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. And in this relationship where we are known, loved, and continually transformed by His presence.

In Christ's love,

Tracey