I am not overly fond of interruptions.
Interruptions — be they people or events — stop my forward motion. They prevent me from achieving my goals. They waste my time.
Or so I think if I am not paying attention.
I’ve come to realize that interruptions may be the point of my day. Interruptions may be the more important thing … the priority … the better thing.
Think about it: Jesus was an interruption.
I love how author Max Lucado wrote it: God tapped humanity on its collective shoulder, “Pardon me,” he said, and eternity interrupted time, divinity interrupted carnality, and heaven interrupted earth in the form of a baby.
What a beautiful truth. What a transcendent interruption.
And how easy it is during the month of December to let so many, many things interfere with the miracle of God’s interruption. We don’t hear God’s whispered, “Pardon me” because we’re so busy doing things — buying presents and wrapping presents and baking goodies and decking the halls … fa la la la la la la la la!
We need to choose to be interrupted … to choose to stop … to listen for the moments when God says, “Pardon me” and then whispers a quiet “I love you” to us during the Christmas season.
In Your Words: When has God interrupted your life — and what have you learned through the interruption? How are you making time to hear God’s “Pardon me” during the busy holiday season?
[Tweet “Christmas: The divine interruption of God #lifequotes #Christmas”] [Tweet “Are you listening for God’s “Pardon me” during the holiday season? #lifequotes #Christmas “]I hope each of you has a wonderful Christmas. I am slowing life down for the rest of the month — even as I focus on another writing deadline. I’ll be back blogging in January 2015 and I look forward to see y’all next year!
A fun blog post:
The Treasures of Christmas: Part 1
Novel Crossing invited authors to share Christmas memories. I share one of mine in Part 1, along with authors Beth White, Tracy Higley, Kate Breslin, Dani Pettrey, Carla Laureano, Patricia Bradley, Tracy Groot, Mesu Andrews, and Richard Mabry.
Comments 9
My most devastating interruptions in life opened the door to unexpected ministry to those suffering the same kind of disruption in their lives.
Author
Beautiful perspective, Scoti — spoken from a willing heart.
And Jesus interrupted a funeral at Nain in the course of His ordinary schedule . . . May God lead us to such divine encounter interruptions.
Mine are smaller, a lost filling or broken tooth that suddenly takes me to the dentist, but so far he’s been able to fix it..
A car accident that suddenly changes the day’s destination and schedule, but there’s thankfulness when all details work out.
Two of my pacemaker surgeries have been emergency situations, I didn’t call the shots, The timing and outcome was in God’s hands. So often I do my best to be organized and in control. It’s so much better when He takes charge–grateful . . .
Author
As your comment points out: big and little interruptions — like a broken garage door for me today. Now which one do I want to classify that under? I could choose big, but it’s not, really. It all worked out, and as my daughter said, “First world problem, Mom. First word problem.”
Interruptions? Oh, yes. With boys, there are plenty of those. I’ll be working on my story, or a blogpost. “Mom! Mom! Today at school . . . ” God keeps reminding me that these interruptions are priceless glimpses into my boys’ lives and hearts. I need to turn aside from what I planned to do with MY time, and be all there in that moment with them. I am so thankful they want to share their days with me. I’m learning to embrace those sorts of interruptions.
Author
Yes, Jeanne, “interruptions” so often are people whom I love dearly. And I need to value them above my To Do list, although I do have commitments that need to get done.
Interrupted? Yes, just recently, as I recall.
“As I recall…” rather funny, given the circumstances!
Author
Always need our sense of humor, don’t we, Andrew?
Interruptions may be the point of my day…LOVE this!
I’m sure I”ll see you around the social media world, but have a great break and a blessed Christmas:) And I’ll be praying for that deadline you’re staring down:)