Practising Presence

Seven years ago, when I first started working at PBC, several people approached me concerned that my daily drive to and from Rangiora would soon ‘get old’ and that I would tire of it very quickly.

Seven years on, I have gotten a bit older certainly, but the drive? No. It’s become my favourite part of the day. Leaving home each morning, I reflect on the conversations and interactions that I’ve had and make mental notes on what to follow up on or prioritise for when I return home. I ponder on things with God and place my home and all its inhabitants in His hands for the day.

Crossing the Waimakariri Bridge is sometimes a signal to change lanes, but it’s always the signal for me to turn my mind onto what awaits me at PBC. I think of all the things I had made mental notes to follow up on as I had driven home the day before. I ponder on things with God as I think of those people and situations that would come my way and consider whether I need to change what I had previously prioritised for the day. My drive gives me the time I need to prepare so I can be fully present for the people that I will encounter once I arrive at work, or return home.

Knowing I am able to leave one space safely in the hands of our omnipresent God as I go from space to space gives me the confidence to put down what I can’t carry all day and to focus on those things which He has put in front of me at the time; to be fully present without my thoughts dragged in all directions.

How do you practise being fully present?

Colleen