Finding my Sit Spot

Before the snow fell, Miss Busscher‘s 3rd grade students each chose a sit spot in their outdoor classroom space.

Have you heard of a ‘Sit Spot’? I sure hadn’t and I know I’m not alone here.

A Sit Spot is a technique used at many nature-based schools that allows a child to choose a place outdoors that uniquely appeals to them.

Throughout the school year, the student will revisit their special spot to observe God’s creation and nature. As they visit the usual spot over time, they soon develop a relationship with nature and their Creator. They will notice the change in surroundings in all types of weather, times of the day, and in different seasons.

Their sit spot is an excellent place for reading, journaling, nature sketching, or just contemplation. What a powerful tool!

Far removed from my days as a third grader, I wonder what I could learn from having a sit spot.

As adults, we know full well how easy it is to get caught in the bustle of life. Especially as the holidays quickly crouch up! We have endless emails to respond to, groceries to shop for, children to usher to and fro. Whatever stage of life we are in, it’s easy to get caught in the hamster wheel of dooming productivity.

But what if in the chaos we found our sit spot?

What if we found a space, whether it be sipping coffee in our favorite front porch chair or a quiet corner of the backyard, what if we found a spot to revisit throughout the days to come. A place to feel grounded. To feel vulnerable. To be humbled before our God.

A place where we can give over our stress and worry to our Lord with an outstretched palm. A place where we can be reminded through nature that God still moves, still forgives, still intercedes in the background. Yes, even when we are too rushed to see it.

Romans 1:20 reminds us, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

As an NPC Parent, I am so grateful that our children are being taught to rest in God’s presence from an early age. These are the fundamental tools that will certainly equip our students in the years to come.

It is my hope that Miss Busschers’s 3rd graders look back and reflect on their sit spots long after their NorthPointe days. I pray they are continually reminded of the true goodness of our God in the presence of His creation.

Sit Spot