When Jesus was walking to heal Jairus’s daughter, something remarkable happened. In the midst of an urgent mission, surrounded by a pressing crowd, He suddenly stopped and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” (Mark 5:30). His disciples were baffled; people were touching Him from every direction. But Jesus remained still, fully present in that moment, aware that someone had reached out to Him in faith. He discovered that it was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. And in the middle of Jesus’s rush to heal a little girl, He stopped to heal this woman whose health had been suffering for over a decade.
This story has always fascinated me because it illustrates something profound about presence. Here was Jesus, on His way to perform a miracle, yet He was so present in the moment that He could feel one precious touch among many. He didn’t brush it off or keep moving toward His “more important” destination. Instead, He stopped, noticed, and engaged fully with the woman before Him.
Today, this kind of presence feels nearly impossible. Our minds constantly race between yesterday’s “What did I do?” and tomorrow’s “What do I need to do?” We check our phones during conversations, plan our responses while others are speaking, and often find ourselves physically in one place while our minds are somewhere else completely.
And friend—this is the person I naturally am—a born multitasker giving 27 percent attention to three different tasks all at the same time.
Yet Scripture repeatedly invites us into the sacred. The Psalmist reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV).
Moses encountered God’s presence in the ordinary moment of tending sheep. Martha’s sister, Mary, chose the “better part” by sitting attentively at Jesus’s feet. These weren’t just moments of physical stillness. They were moments of holy attention, being fully present where their feet were planted.
But what does this kind of presence look like today? How do we practice being where our feet are planted when our world seems designed to pull our attention in a thousand different directions?
I believe it starts with recognizing that presence is a practice, not a destination. Just as Jesus walked at what we might call “the speed of love” — taking time to notice, to engage, to be fully present with those around Him, we too can learn to slow down and notice God’s movement in our ordinary moments.
This presence isn’t just about paying attention. It’s about recognizing the sacred in the ordinary moments of our days. Think about Moses’s encounter with God in Exodus 3:5 (NIV). “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” The ground hadn’t changed; Moses’s awareness had changed. And with a God who never changes, I want to be the one who is willing to let my awareness of Him change.
Here are some practical ways to cultivate this kind of presence:
1. Begin your day with “sacred stillness.” Before reaching for your phone or jumping into tasks, pause to acknowledge God’s presence. Most mornings when I wake up, I will take one fresh, deep breath and breathe in God’s presence. Let your first thoughts be directed toward Him rather than your to-do list. Because that to-do list? Won’t stay silent for long …
2. Practice “threshold moments.” Every time you cross a threshold — entering a new room, starting a new task, beginning a conversation — take a breath and silently ask, “Lord, where are You in this moment?” And if you feel like this is a hard practice, do what I did and start with a post-it note on your doorframe to remind you. Eventually, you won’t need the reminder anymore.
3. Choose one daily activity to be your “presence practice.” Maybe it’s washing dishes, driving to work, or preparing meals. During this activity, intentionally notice the details, the sensations, the presence of God in that ordinary moment.
4. Develop what I call “holy attention” in your relationships. When someone is speaking, practice listening without planning what you’re going to say next. Notice their expressions, their emotions, the way God might be moving in their lives. People are so desperate to be heard. You could be the one to make them feel seen today.
This isn’t about maintaining a constant state of mental prayer. Who could do that? It’s about developing an awareness of God’s presence in every moment, in every circumstance.
This practice of presence isn’t about perfection. Each day we have the opportunity to practice connection or disconnection. Yes, I still mindlessly scroll on Instagram when I’m having a hard day, but more often I find myself content with my own company in the presence of God. For someone who has always sought distraction, what a gift being present can be.
If you’re looking for a way to practice God’s presence (while taking care of your future self with some delicious recipes), order Kathi’s new cookbook, Sabbath Soup: Weekly Menus and Rhythms to Make Space for a Day of Rest.
This is so helpful, Kathi. I have been trying to be present. It is one of my words for this year. It is very hard because I also tend to multitask. People speak and instead of truly listening and attending, I may be thinking of my response or the next things I “need” to do. I appreciate the way you have organized the suggestions. I especially like the idea of threshold moments. But I was really taken by the phrase that Jesus walked in “the speed of love”. That really made me think. Thank you for sharing.
This is an incredible post. I so needed this. Thank you. I am going to incorporate these practices in my daily life with God’s help!!
Kathi, your words were exactly what I needed as our women’s team works on a presentation on hospitality. We so easily hear the word hospitality & visualize the woman who opens her immaculate home for a 13 course meal for 50 people. Yet I believe Jesus showed hospitality to the woman who touched His cloak. Full attention toward another no matter how pre-planned or long an interaction is is welcoming & hospitable toward another. I can’t heal a disease but an honest smile & full focused hello can be the balm for another’s weary heart. Blessings! (((0)))
Love this!! “Presence is a practice not a destination.” The Lord’s Presence is there already versus me trying to get there. He is always waiting on me. I can hear Him saying, “Been here the whole time just waiting on you to recognize it, my daughter!”
Truly impacted by today’s devotional. I need stillness in my life. Multitasking daily with no stopping, the practice of presence is going to be such a blessing for me. God bless you and your ministry.
Kathi,
Thank you for sharing such a practical, impactful, and much needed message. You have a gift for delivering useful suggestions in manageable ways. Your insights about practicing presence will benefit so many of your readers, including me!
Blessings,
Kathleen
I get laughed at occasionally, because I say excuse me when I burp, even if I believe no one else is physically present, to always be aware that God is always with me.
Love this devotional!
Thank you Kathy
I also love your reference to Jesus walking at the “speed of love” ~ that is such a beautiful capture of exactly what he did.
Blessings
Sorry “Kathi”
Thank you Kathi!
Being present and content! It’s a spiritual practice for sure! I love the benefits of peace and joy!
Sending you new year joy,
Lisa
Dear Dawn………..I loved your devotional today. I, like you have been a multitasker all my life and I am 77 years old. It was so important in all my jobs over my work years (45 years), but my mother used to tell me not to put so much effort into completing everything I planned. I have a necklace that I frequently wear that say ” Be still and know”. Love it .Thank you for all the tips you gave us to settle down. Even though I am retired, I still think the way I did in my younger years. I certainly will make post-it notes and put them in my apartment to remind me to ” slow down”. I got cards from (in) courage community that has a different word and something to read. This is where I go when I get up in the morning. It always inspires me. I always like to read these agan after lunch when I am more “with it”. Thank you again, Dawn for your wonderful words and I hope and pray that you and your family was not touched by all that terrible weather you have been receiving in California. Take care and I send you my love and support if you were affected by the weather…………………….Betsy Basile
Dear Kathi……….I for some reason said “Dawn” instead of Kathi. Please forgive me and my comment was for you. Betsy Basile
Thank you for this post, Kathi. I have gotten away from “practicing the presence of God.” Over the last several years, I have allowed the rest of life to distract me. Your post is a reminder of what is better. Thank you for providing practical suggestions as well. I will begin implementing these today!
Kathi thank you so much for this reading it has really spoke to me. What you said so true to with our feet in your title of today’s devotion. Where your feet are embarrassing the spiritual practice of presence. That spoke to me. I felt God say to me are you too busy to stop all the business in your life each day to take time out of it to rest your feet and sit down spend time resting with me reading my word and letting it speak too. Presence is practice not a destination.I done it in the past saying I’ll do this first get all done then I will spend time with God in his word and prayer. But the destination of doing it put God further and further away from me. As I get then too tired to want after everything is done spend time with God. So I have to practice presence by saying Dawn you have to put God first at the beginning of your day. So you don’t get tired by the business of the day. That you are too tired to spend time with God. I am getting there slowly by spending time with God in prayer and reading his word at the start of my day before I do anything else. As if I don’t my time with God gets further and further away that day. That is what Satan the Devil wants. So it is practice presence with God each day as soon as I wake up letting nothing get in the way of my time with God. Before I go do anything else that day. I have to make God first not everything else first. Or as I already said God then get further and further away from me. But I find it I put God first in my day by spending time with him. I know I do things that I don’t know are sin in God eyes quicker if I don’t spend time at the start of my day before anything else with God. Then if I spend time with God at the beginning of the day. I find even with trials that may come my was to test me. I say to myself Dawn living as Christian better because I have spent time with God. Then I want the day to God go God’s way for my life. I feel so much better that I have put God first in my life by spending time with him before anything else in my life. Why I don’t do that get to tired with the business of the day. I find I get guilty I not spent the time with God. As God is there for me when I need him and he never leaves me not for sakes me. I say Amen to that. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh N.Ireland xx
I like the idea of threshold moments, intentionally stopping to pause and seek God.
I love these hints.. THANKYOU. My Word for 2025 is ANCHOR and I really need to be present , in all circumstances , with Him.