Pull Up a Chair and Stay Awhile
Well, come on up on this ol’ front porch, friend, and git yourself settled in real good before that creaky ol’ screen door slaps shut like a lil’ ol’ beaver warnin’ the whole pond that company’s done arrived. Put that ol’ phone somewhere it can’t holler at you every thirty seconds like a silly lil’ Banty rooster that’s plum gone and forgotten sunrise only happens once a day. We need to be talkin’ about somethin’ mighty scarce these days. Undivided attention.
On the road to Emmaus, two disciples walked beside Jesus without even recognizin’ Him. But later, when they sat down. Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and suddenly “their eyes were opened” (Luke 24:30–31).
Maybe the miracle wasn’t just at the table. Maybe slowin’ down finally gave their hearts room to really see.
The early believers understood that there kind of fellowship. Acts 2:46 says they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. They weren’t sittin’ around starin’ into little glowin’ rectangles while supper got colder than an ol’ frog’s toes in February.
And what’s true around our family tables is downright true with Jesus, too.
You can plum know facts about Christ without ever truly lingerin’ with Christ. You can git to squeezin’ prayer between appointments, be skimmin’ Scripture while your mind is racin’, and still be wonderin’ why God feels sho’-nuff’ distant.
Hosea 6:3 plum gives us a beautiful invitation: “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him.” Knowin’ God deeply downright requires intentionally seekin’ Him.
Jesus ain’t ever in no kind of hurry to leave your table.
Father, quiet the noise around me and within me. Teach me to linger in Your presence, listen for Your voice, and recognize You in ordinary moments. Give me a heart that seeks You instead of merely squeezing You into my schedule. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, off you go, friend, but don’t be scamperin’ through today like a lil’ ol’ chipmunk late for a nut convention. You’ve gotta leave some room for Jesus. Sit awhile, listen awhile, and let your soul get still enough to notice Him. You just might discover that the Guest you’ve been searchin’ for has been sittin’ at your table all along.
With joy,
Gwen
