Come Sit a Spell – Devotion 20

It definitely is a saying from the south – Come sit a spell.  It may sound silly or even ridiculous to some, but for those of us raised in the south, this is an invitation to come and enjoy time together.  This is an opportunity to sit and “jaw” (chit chat) over nothing or everything.  It speaks of a time to simply listen, to be, to relax.  For those of you that are still unfamiliar, it could be translated – come sit for a while and let’s talk, or not.

Growing up in the south, I found that the world operated a bit slower.  What was important to some wasn’t as important to others.  There was time to sit on the porch and talk.  There was an opportunity to spend an afternoon with those you loved with no agenda and no phones.  It was a time when you could hang out, drink lemonade or sweet iced tea, and enjoy the day.  It wasn’t as if there weren’t things to do.  It was just that the more important thing to do sometimes was to sit and listen.  Being with people and just enjoying God’s good creation held a high priority.  And somehow, that seems to be lost or missing.  Somehow, that importance has slipped away.

I don’t think we can blame it on technology or our overly busy schedules.  I don’t think we can shift the blame to other activities to support the family or more pressing concerns.  I think it is simply a matter of priority.  It isn’t as if there weren’t other things to do before.  There were still plenty of things that needed to be done in the past.  The priority shifted over the years, though.  The value of sitting a spell has been diminished by us.  We are too busy, too rushed, too (and you insert whatever excuses you can come up with).

Maybe it is time to reevaluate our priorities.  Maybe there is great value in simply enjoying the company of others.  Maybe it is an opportunity to invite someone else to simply come and sit a spell.  There is “jawing” to be done.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 133

¹ How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
² It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
³ It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life forevermore.

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