The Opportunity of Interruption

We can plan out our days with tasks we want to accomplish, with activities we want to do, or we can plan a free day with nothing on our agenda. But planning does not guarantee the day will play out as we intended. Interruptions come out of the blue at times and we must adjust our schedule to tend to an urgent situation. It happens to all of us, more often than we would like, but it happens. Most of us would rather not have interruptions. They represent obstacles to our ultimate goals.

Sometimes interruptions to our schedule are a welcome thing. Receiving a call with good news about the birth of a child, an engagement, a promotion, raise, or a wonderful job offer can interrupt your day. These are what I would call “welcome interruptions.” I would not be upset with anyone for interrupting my “schedule” to deliver that kind of news. But too often the interruption is an aggravation and something you can do without. Just when you are engrossed in a project that requires 100% of your concentration, a crying child may require you to drop everything to give her attention. It could be an adult child upset about a relationship that has ended, needing your support and guidance or a friend who has lost his job. Whatever the reason for interruptions to our days, we can learn to handle them in an appropriate manner. To not do so may cause unnecessary stress and none of us needs that.

Let’s look at the life of the greatest man who ever lived, Jesus Christ. With Jesus there were no real interruptions. Some things may have seemed like interruptions but they were actually opportunities to display His Father’s great power and love. Interruptions never slowed Jesus down or changed his purpose. When He was approached to heal Jairus’ daughter he was interrupted by a woman who touched the hem of his garment. She, through her faith, was instantaneously healed, but Jairus received news that his daughter had died. Jesus could have healed her illness, but instead He raised her from the dead, a much greater miracle. Then Jesus simply continued the work he had come to do: restoring the lost, healing the sick, glorifying His Father. To Jesus, interruptions represented people and people were His purpose. Do you realize that even death is only an interruption; it is not the end of life, but a transition to the afterlife.

One evening recently my granddaughter Paisley was having problems going to sleep. I was busy working on college work, trying to concentrate, and trying to meet a deadline. I could hear her crying in the other room. Her Mommy was growing weary and had used every method she knew to try to coax this child to rest. She grew quiet and I thought to myself that surely she must finally have fallen asleep. After all, it was 11:30 p.m. Within moments of that thought here comes Paisley, grinning from ear to ear, waving her little hand and saying, “Hello, Mimi, hello.” I couldn’t help but smile as she threw her arms up for me to give her a hug. She told me she loved me, gave me a kiss, and went back to her room where she quickly fell asleep. Yes, she interrupts my work, more often than not. But, she needed her Mimi’s attention for just a couple of minutes so that she felt secure and loved. After she left I thanked God that I have the opportunity to see her grow daily and to be the recipient of her love. How I wish I could be as close to all my grandchildren, especially those who do not live near me. Paisley reminded me that I can get too intense into my studies at times and even Mimi needs a break for a hug and kiss.

I am learning to enjoy the interruptions for what they are – personally designed encounters from God to make His ways known. Perhaps your next interruption will be an opportunity for you to share the love of God with someone who has no idea what God’s love is. After all, there are no coincidences in life because God is in control.

“Lord, turn every interruption into an opportunity to share your love. Forgive me for my impatience and at times confusing my priorities. Enjoying you means enjoying every day as a gift from you.”

(This blog contains excerpts from 40 Days in God's Presence: A Devotional Encounter by Rebecca Barlow Jordan, Copyright 2006. For more information you can visit: www.twbookmark.com/christian.)