I sat at my desk focusing on a project or at least trying to do so. I had been interrupted more than once and then the phone rang again. Ugh! I thought I would ignore it, but by then the interruption was a reality so I took the call.
Interruptions.
They cut into our time and intrude on our plans, our project, and our rest. Interruptions hit the pause button, if not the stop button, of that thing we want to do. If we are working on a task that we do not like, for the moment the interruption might be welcome, but most of the time we chafe at an interruption. It slows us down from doing what we want to do. It stops us from moving forward. It reminds us that we are not the center of the universe and not in control.
Interruptions come at us from all directions. They are a normal part of living.
Jesus was often interrupted when He walked the earth. The woman with the hemorrhage touched him as He was walking, on His way to something else He planned to do. Children interrupted Him in the midst of teaching adults. What was His response? Did He see interruptions as a frustration or an opportunity?
What can we learn from that? What can I learn from it? 
The man on the phone identified himself by a name that jarred me into alertness. The name was that of an author whose book had greatly impacted me thirty years ago. In a split second my mind was whirling trying to sort out if this was the same person. The man went on to state he had called me because he noticed I shopped online often for his father’s book. He quickly went on to tell me his middle name, which differed from his father’s.
He explained that his father had died and he had some copies of unsold books so requests routinely came to him. He was curious. What caused the interest in the book after so many years? How had his father impacted someone that now looked for more copies?
Our conversation lasted for nearly fifteen minutes. I shared about its impact on me and said I used the books with others I counseled. He said he was coming to my area in a few weeks and wondered if he could stop by my office. We hung up and I leaned back in my chair reflecting.
The call had interrupted things I needed to get finished that day, but if I had not taken it I would have missed meeting the author’s son, which blessed me. I would also have missed being a blessing to the author’s son as I told him about the impact of his father’s work.
As I reflected on the call, I felt challenged to consider what the Lord might want to show me through the many interruptions I experience every day. Not all interruptions seem like opportunities or blessings. Perhaps before I chafe at an interruption I need to pause and consider what the interruption is about, whether the Lord is in it, whether it is an opportunity. What can I learn from it?
What do you do with interruptions?
What a great post. – I tend to become frustrated to be frank when I’m interrupted, especially by telemarketers. – How awesome for you that your call was an important opportunity for you. I should try harder to not be so quick to become frustrated at interruptions.
Thanks, Ida! I hear you about telemarketers. If I don’t recognize the number or it looks strange to me because of the city or the like, I usually don’t pick up the phone many times.
Hi Pam! That CS Lewis…what a wise man! I love that meme you have up from him. Is it okay if I share it on my blog FB site sometime? I don’t know if you are a FB friend of mine or not, but I’d love to share this. I’d be happy to tag you if you are connected with me there.
I am the worst with interruptions, and my husband knows it. He is a talker, and I am a lover of silence. It makes for some challenging times! But in light of what Mr. Lewis said, I think I’d better take a chill pill and open my heart a little wider.
Great post!
Ceil
I could not agree more….C.S. Lewis says things like no one else!! Yes, please feel free to do so. I sent you a friend request on FB as well and would love to connect with you there as well.
I was likely more of a talker than my husband, but now as we are both retired he is discovering I am much more likely to prefer bug chunks of silence to read, write, reflect, etc. and he can get a look from me if he interrupts me at a crucial point.
Have a beautiful weekend! Thanks for the affirmation, my friend!
What a cool phone call and opportunity!! Thanks for this reminder about how we respond to interruptions : )
It was indeed an unexpected cool opportunity!!
What an awesome interruption! I too have had many interruptions in my life, some good and some bad but God is in control and knows what he is doing. So we just have to trust Him. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for stopping by and for your encouragement!
That C.S. Lewis quote certainly puts a ribbon on this thought process. I try to view life that way, because with our family getting bigger all the time (go figure!) there are more people to consider . . . but I still struggle with the desire to make a plan and then follow it — and resent whatever derails me! So helpful to know that God knew about the “interruption” and it was part of HIS plan.
….like only C.S. Lewis can!!! I hear you about a family getting larger!! We went from two children to four when they both married and now we have 6 grandchildren ages 12 to 22 and sometimes they bring friends with them!!! (BTW not sure if you saw the post about my Personal Reflection on Passion because it was posted when you were away, but I mentioned your name in it!)
Great post. I admit that I do not like interruptions!… especially those from “Windows” wanting to “fix” my computer from problems that will greatly hurt it…. (obviously they are NOT from Windows)….. or the calls from the “IRS” or “current credit card company” or someone telling me I “won” something. We are getting a lot of such calls even though we are on the “no call” list for telemarketers sigh. The other interruptions of everyday life are often, but I do want to be a gracious woman and God says I need to retain honor… important, even with interruptions. 🙂 Thank you for your reminder to see interrup (I just answered the phone for one of the above type of junk calls…. God has an amazing sense of humor! 🙂 ) tions as allowed by God….. Have a great day. 🙂
Oh, do I hear you!! My husband and I are convinced the “do not call” list is worthless. I am most disturbed they are showing up now on my cell phone, but I see now I can block those calls and they have been reduced to practically nothing!! Have a blessed weekend!
God knows what He’s doing when we get interrupted in our day. Your story is one of God working in a way that if you had said “no” you would have missed a beautiful opportunity. It’s a great lesson on how God gives us choices but we need to stop and think what a “no” could mean. Love the quote from C.S. Lewis. It’s perfect!
Thanks so much, Mary! Looking forward to seeing your new website!
What a fascinating story, a divine appointment. We never know who God is going to bring into our lives in the next hour.
Thanks for this gentle reminder to look at interruptions as invitations …
Grace, grace.
Blessings to you today, Pam …
Thanks, my sweet friend! The book was one you may have heard of (The Sensation of Being Somebody) and it had a great impact on my life when I was sorting myself out back in the early 80’s. The author is Maurice Wagner (a theologian and psychologist). It was his son who was in touch with me. If you have never read the book, I would encourage you to try to find one to read through. I think it has a lot to offer that no one says in the way Dr. Wagner does. I used it a lot with clients I worked with…hence, trying to locate copies. I think it was published in the 70’s as I recall.
Makes me wonder how often I blow God off when He’s trying to speak to me or how often I miss the opportunity to help someone. Love the story.
True for all of us, my friend!! So good to hear from you and see your name. Hope you are well!!
And to think if you hadn’t answered that phone call….. I know how hard interruptions can be, but I do believe God uses them to grow and mature us. I love the C. S. Lewis quote. It really is true.
Blessings to you, Pam!