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?
Beautiful post and wonderful perspective, Pam! I do find myself getting frustrated with the endless interruptions that come my way, but you are so right…interruptions can often be opportunities and I will reframe the way I react to interruptions going forward. You never know what will come out of it! And how wonderful that you got to meet this impactful author’s son! A true blessing hidden behind an everyday interruption.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Lovely reminder, Thanks for joining us in Bloggers Pit Stop – Pit Stop crew
Oh I need this reminder. It is easy to get frustrated with interruption after interruption. But if I can take a deep breathe and smile and remember I really don’t own the time, then sometimes the interruptions lead to great things. And other times they are just part of ordinary life. But all are necessary.
It is indeed, Theresa, for all of us. Thanks for your encouraging affirmation of something I was convicted on first.😊
This post was such a blessing! Our modern lives pour overflow with activities, responsibilities, and to-do lists we value as important. This eclipses those interruptions that can be so sacred. God ordained. I enjoyed reading about the author’s son who contacted you as well as being reminded of the interruptions in Jesus’ life that He welcomed.
Thank you for this post.
Thanks so much, Janis! Thanks for your words of affirmation. This experience as the example with the author’s son left an indelible impression on me.
I love the idea of looking at interruptions as opportunities! Thanks for sharing!
Fascinating, Pam. Makes me wonder how many divine appointments I might have missed along the way because I was too distracted by having my precious agenda interrupted …
And C.S. Lewis. Thank you, friend …
I think we all can miss them…♥️
Pam I really appreciate your words in this post and the quote by CS Lewis hit home with me. Too often I regard interruptions to “my” day and “my” plans with disdain. I never stopped to think for Jesus it was a way of life! I’m going to ponder this a bit….
It’s so significant to me that I see Jesus model so many things like this when I read a passage of scripture more slowly and really put the scene in 3-D in my mind. I can identify more with what He models for us! Have a great day in Him!!♥️
This was a wonderful reminder.
Thank you.
What was the book u loved?
Melanie
The Sensation of Being Somebody by Maurice Wagner😊