I’m currently curled up in my old comfy La-Z-Boy chair with my feet tucked under me, a mug of hot coffee beside me. Ideal conditions for working on this blog, but I’m easily distracted and doing everything but actually writing. I’m never more productive at getting secondary things done than when I have a deadline on a higher priority.

Anyway, recently at work the song below came on and I’m sure I’ve heard it before, but this time it caught my attention. The lyrics have been something I’ve been contemplating ever since, and ironically what I’m trying to write about: “Be where your feet are.”

Being present in the moment is hard, especially since who knows what will happen to the world if I stop worrying, planning and doing all the things?! If only I got credit in burned calories for how many miles my brain spins and travels each day.

I think the heart of the song is about actively engaging in whatever it is you happen to be doing. I can be physically present while my mind is miles away. I am guilty of being with friends and totally zoning out while someone is talking only to come back to the conversation and feign agreement, not knowing what was just said. Or being so busy forming a response, I don’t even hear what they say. Even when I’m “relaxing” watching TV, I’m often also on my phone -- two screens are better than one, or something – and not truly paying attention to either.

I find myself regretting and obsessing over things from the past while also jumping ahead, planning and dreaming of the future. When I do this, my focus is everywhere but where it needs to be -- fully living in the moment. I had a therapist once tell me to narrate what I was doing to help me not spiral into the unknowns of the day. “I’m making coffee, I’m putting on my shoes, I’m locking my door.” It sounds silly, but if my brain is intentionally focused on what I am doing at the moment, it’s hard for it to wander into the lands of “what if” and “if only” and “I should.”

I miss so much of the here and now when I dwell on the past and worry about the future. How many opportunities to serve have I overlooked because I don’t even notice the need? How much of God’s amazing creation have I never noticed because I don’t take the time to be present in my surroundings? How often is God answering my prayer, but I’m so busy elsewhere I completely miss it? Some of life’s greatest gifts and miracles are in the small things.

Granted, my feet aren’t always in places I want to be: in line at the grocery store, staying late at work for a customer, cleaning the toilet. I can’t necessarily change the circumstance, but a perspective change might help. For instance, when I’m stuck in a line I could stress about all the things I need to do and how this is taking forever, or instead, use that time to take a few deep breaths or get to know the people standing in line with me.

Maybe you find yourself soothing an overtired baby, driving kids to and from all their activities, working on something mundane, pivoting because of a change of plans or caring for a loved one. Whatever it may be, ask God to help you be fully present and to be where your feet are. He put you there for such a time as this.

Be Where Your Feet Are

Can you sit in the quiet?
Will you trust me to know?
That you’re in the right place
You’ve got nowhere to go
So just for a little while
Won’t you let yourself be
Safe in the stillness
Right here with me?

In a world that’s forever elsewhere
We were made to be right here together, in this together
So slow down and take in the moment
‘Cause everything is gonna be alright, I know it
You’re alright, so just be where your feet are
Yeah, be where your feet are

When we sit in tomorrow
And we call it today
How will we look back
On our yesterday?
Yea, we’re so good at dreaming
About the places we’ll go
But look what we have here
These are moments of gold!

What is meant for you won’t pass you by, so you’re right on time
No need to worry, or to hurry up or push your way through
So where you find yourself, open up your heart ‘cause after all
There’s nothing greater than to love the one who’s right in front of you, who’s right in front of you

Be Where Your Feet Are

Artist: Christy Nockels

Album: King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest

Writers: Christy Nockels, Nathan Nockels

ABOUT THE BLOGGER:

Danielle (Dani) Rupp grew up in a small town in Ohio and is a true Buckeye fan, though she tries not to be obnoxious about it. In 2011 she came to PA to earn her Master of Social Work degree and has since made Kennett Square her home. In her free time, Dani enjoys going on mission trips/traveling, reading, and connecting with loved ones—preferably over coffee and a sweet treat.