My grandmother’s front porch is home to some of my fondest childhood memories. It stretched the width of Grammy’s bungalow-style, turn-of-the-century home in Knoxville, Tennessee. The generous space and row of rocking chairs were an invitation to be welcomed and sit for a while. It was a cozy and uncluttered space with a couple of snake plants in simple pots and a welcome mat before the large front door.
Many an afternoon was spent with my dad’s eight siblings, cousins, aunt, uncles, and any neighbors or friends who happened by to chat and have a cup of coffee. I grew up running coffee and sitting at the feet of the adults listening. There was plenty of running and playing with the other kids, but all of us found our way back to the porch. I enjoyed my family and our time on Grammy’s porch together. I come from the lingering on this front porch.
As I was praying this morning for God’s help, I asked for help to linger in His presence. How to linger. I paused and thought about that word. Linger. It means to stay somewhere longer than expected, maybe because you’re enjoying yourself or don’t want to leave. That’s when Grammy’s front porch came to mind. I have places where I linger, and it’s life-giving for me to practice it. How kind of God to teach me as a young girl, even before I trusted Him as my Lord and Savior, to take my time, to enjoy the moment, not rush through, to listen, to soak in the environment, the sights, and the sounds.
The hours I lingered on Grammy’s front porch were building blocks for me to learn to linger in God’s presence and delight in His love.
At this year’s Woven Spring Retreat, Miriam Walsh, our speaker, shared a prayer of surrender with us. I’ve incorporated it into my prayers. Jerry Bridges recorded this prayer of submission in his book, The Joy of Fearing God: “Lord, I am willing. To receive what you give; to lack what you withhold; to relinquish what you take; to suffer what you inflict; to be what you require; and to do what you send me to do.”
Lingering in God’s presence means deliberately spending time with God, intentionally drawing near to Him, and remaining in His company. It’s about prayer as an ongoing conversation with God, listening for His voice, and allowing His presence to fill and transform you. It requires slowing down, being attentive, and making time with God a priority above other activities.
What are some ways to do this:
- Find space where you can have undisturbed time to connect with God.
- Allow God’s Word to speak to your heart and reveal His character.
- Listen for God’s voice by impressions and insights from the Holy Spirit.
- Pray and journal your thoughts, feelings, and requests.
- Lingering is developed over time. Stay at it with God!
Even more than those precious hours of lingering on my Granny’s front porch, I’m learning more and more how lingering in God’s presence deepens my relationship with Him and fosters my spiritual growth. It allows me to receive wisdom for daily decisions, and provides peace and comfort during challenging times.
“Lord, grant me this one thing—more than anything else, this is what I crave and seek: It’s your beauty. I want to live in the sanctuary of your Word and worship, and the cathedral of creation and gaze upon your beauty.” Paraphrase of Psalm 27:4
Open the eyes of our hearts, Jesus. We want to see more of you. Help us linger there.