Behaving Myself When Interrupted

Musings

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
—James 4:13-17 NLT

If I were given a grade in adaptability, it would not be a great one. I like patterns, routine, and predictability. If you want a companion to embark on an adventure to a wild and exotic place, I would not recommend you choose me. If, on the other hand, you would like a quiet conversation on a pleasant day close to my home, and especially if you offer me a cup of tea while we talk, I just might be your person.

Because I favor “sameness,” I do not respond well to interruptions. When my little dog Bella barks to go outside, my first response is not prompt solicitude and helpfulness. Sadly, it is often aggravation because inevitably, I’m in the middle of something when she needs me. But need me, she does, and off I trot, mustering kindness for my pup and letting her out. Even when interrupted by my most favorite person in the entire world—my husband Ray—I’ve been known to grumble a wee bit before responding.

This is not good. Life seldom goes according to plan. Instead, we all face daily interruptions, changes, and new directions, whether we want them or not. We can’t orchestrate our lives with the precision we think we need. Instead, we’re constantly confronted with opportunities to adapt and react to the unforeseen with either acceptance or rebellion. Oh, how I wish to improve my response to interruption!

Today’s Bible passage reminds me of such an important truth: God plans my days; I don’t. He chooses to allow interruptions for His good purposes. Often, it’s to stretch my faith, shrink my selfishness, or trim my sails when I erroneously think I am in charge of myself. God asks me to trust Him not only with big disruptions like moving, illness, or death but also with the little things like a husband who can’t find the scissors or a dog who needs to be walked. All my days and all the interruptions are numbered and ordained by the One who loves me most of all. I truly want to behave better when interrupted.

Father, forgive me for my selfishness and my desire to serve myself before others. Help me yield to You each morning, trusting my day and its inevitable interruptions to Your good plans for my life. I want to see each day unfold as an adventure that You and I walk through together. I want to treat my people and my pet with kindness and a willingness to serve, just as I like to be served. Through Your Son, who allowed countless interruptions in His time on earth, You showed us how to live this out with grace and wisdom. Make me more like You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

You are loved,
Sharon

 

 

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

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and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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