Holding Space
Author: Natalie Bechtold - Church Elder
November 20, 2025
Have you heard of the phrase “holding space”? It’s one of those newer expressions—like “atmospheric river”—that sounds trendy at first, but the heart of it is something timeless. To hold space simply means to pause, to notice someone in their moment, and to offer patience, presence, and grace.
This past weekend, I was pushing through my never-ending to-do list—parenting a high school freshman, caring for my husband after surgery, juggling school board responsibilities, and church commitments. Honestly, I was tired. And then, in the most ordinary place—Costco—God gave me a reminder.
I was back by the towering stacks of paper towels and toilet paper when I noticed a woman locked in battle with a giant bundle. The toilet paper was winning. She looked up at me, her eyes flashing both panic and defiance—like she was bracing for judgment, worried she was holding me back, yet silently asking what I would do. In that moment, I felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit to pause. I smiled and said softly, “It’s okay, take your time.” Her shoulders eased just a little, and she finally managed the bundle into her cart. Something shifted in that space—the tension lifted, the air felt lighter, and my own hurried spirit slowed down. What began as a small act of patience became a ripple of grace. God had multiplied that moment, turning it into His gift of peace.
Driving home, I thought about how often Jesus held space for people. He stopped to heal the sick. He stood with Mary Magdalene when her accusers threw her at His feet. He looked up at Zacchaeus in the tree and said, “Come down, I’m going to your house today.” Jesus saw people right where they were, and He gave them room to breathe, to be seen, and to be loved.
And it reminded me of a story I once read. A young mom was in a store, overwhelmed as her child melted down in a full tantrum. Instead of judging, a group of women—strangers to each other—quietly surrounded her. They turned their backs to give her privacy, creating a circle of compassion. They held space for her in that moment, offering strength and understanding without a single word.
Imagine if we all lived that way. In a world full of conflict, hurry and unrest, what if we chose patience instead of pressure, compassion instead of indifference, presence instead of distraction?
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
— Philippians 2:4
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