Today's Topic:
"Interruptions, Delays and Inconveniences"
Today's Hostess:
Lori at I will take it Lord, all You have to give
"Interruptions, Delays and Inconveniences"
Today's Hostess:
Lori at I will take it Lord, all You have to give
Titus 2 reminds us "...to be kind."
Today, Lori asks some great questions. In the face of day-to-day interruptions, delays and inconveniences, are we really as kind and open as we can be in our daily lives? Are we able to pause and recognize God in those potentially frustrating situations?
I am at the kitchen counter innocently attempting to prepare my own diet-restricted breakfast, after getting the kids settled at the table with their drinks and food, and I realize the knife I am looking for was left in the sink and needs to be washed before I can continue. But right as I reach for the dish scrubber, the girls start asking for more food and the phone begins to ring simultaneously (which I ignore in an attempt to get some nourishment together for my apparently starving kids). But my husband comes on the answering machine begging me to look up just this one thing for him real quick.... and all of the sudden that little phrase from Titus 2, "be kind," is not so easy.
This topic is right on time for me! I can't tell you how many times lately, armed with my well-intentioned desire to get a job done, I've heard myself say to someone in my family (for the 100th time), "Yeah, in just a minute. I need to finish [you fill in the blank]."
I find myself getting grumpy from the pressure of being pulled in multiple directions all day and longing for those late night hours when I have my time to myself and can sacrifice a little sleep in order to complete a job uninterrupted.
Lori asks, How do you handle interruptions in your days? Do you plow right on over them missing opportunities God has placed on your path?
Ouch! Back to that "just a minute" catch phrase I seem to have adopted. I can almost picture my daily path laid out before me, and God walking my kids or my husband right through the middle of it. Too often I miss out on what God has for me by thinking my family are the "interruptions."
Lori wrote, "I often imagine a day when I have an opportunity to stroll around heaven, where it will be revealed to me how many things I "missed." Missed in my attempt to be in control of "my day" and do it in "my time." I imagine a tour that reveals to me the times when I had only tunnel vision and missed the opportunities that God was trying to lead me to."
I don't want to miss out! Even in my pursuit to be a Titus 2 or Proverbs 31 woman, I want to make sure I am balanced. The real goal isn't the tidy house or the wonderful meals or the checked off to-do list. Serving my family is supposed to be the goal!
What interruptions frustrate you the most? How are you working to overcome that?
The things that frustrate me the most are the things that get in the way of my agenda. If I keep in mind that I am a servant, and that I can use those interruptions as a way to serve others, I have a feeling it will be a little easier to respond graciously with kindness. And if I embrace the idea of trusting that God has directed my day, then I must become more flexible in order to receive all He has for me.
Since I know I will need help in this area, I decided to commit my entire day to the Lord, interruptions and all, with a prayer from Psalms, first thing in the morning when I wake up. Usually I'm not much on doing things when I first wake up, because it's not my most coherent time of the day. But I think this is really going to help my outlook on the day.
I am at the kitchen counter innocently attempting to prepare my own diet-restricted breakfast, after getting the kids settled at the table with their drinks and food, and I realize the knife I am looking for was left in the sink and needs to be washed before I can continue. But right as I reach for the dish scrubber, the girls start asking for more food and the phone begins to ring simultaneously (which I ignore in an attempt to get some nourishment together for my apparently starving kids). But my husband comes on the answering machine begging me to look up just this one thing for him real quick.... and all of the sudden that little phrase from Titus 2, "be kind," is not so easy.
This topic is right on time for me! I can't tell you how many times lately, armed with my well-intentioned desire to get a job done, I've heard myself say to someone in my family (for the 100th time), "Yeah, in just a minute. I need to finish [you fill in the blank]."
I find myself getting grumpy from the pressure of being pulled in multiple directions all day and longing for those late night hours when I have my time to myself and can sacrifice a little sleep in order to complete a job uninterrupted.
Lori asks, How do you handle interruptions in your days? Do you plow right on over them missing opportunities God has placed on your path?
Ouch! Back to that "just a minute" catch phrase I seem to have adopted. I can almost picture my daily path laid out before me, and God walking my kids or my husband right through the middle of it. Too often I miss out on what God has for me by thinking my family are the "interruptions."
Lori wrote, "I often imagine a day when I have an opportunity to stroll around heaven, where it will be revealed to me how many things I "missed." Missed in my attempt to be in control of "my day" and do it in "my time." I imagine a tour that reveals to me the times when I had only tunnel vision and missed the opportunities that God was trying to lead me to."
I don't want to miss out! Even in my pursuit to be a Titus 2 or Proverbs 31 woman, I want to make sure I am balanced. The real goal isn't the tidy house or the wonderful meals or the checked off to-do list. Serving my family is supposed to be the goal!
What interruptions frustrate you the most? How are you working to overcome that?
The things that frustrate me the most are the things that get in the way of my agenda. If I keep in mind that I am a servant, and that I can use those interruptions as a way to serve others, I have a feeling it will be a little easier to respond graciously with kindness. And if I embrace the idea of trusting that God has directed my day, then I must become more flexible in order to receive all He has for me.
Since I know I will need help in this area, I decided to commit my entire day to the Lord, interruptions and all, with a prayer from Psalms, first thing in the morning when I wake up. Usually I'm not much on doing things when I first wake up, because it's not my most coherent time of the day. But I think this is really going to help my outlook on the day.
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. ~ Psalms 143:8-10
8 comments:
Ugh! I don't even want to think about the many, many times I've gotten tunnel vision and probably missed out on opportunities to serve. Great reminder Rebecca. I love your idea of praying the Psalms in the early morning to start your day!
Reading your post, which by the way was just what I needed} I realized how ridged I had become.
I need to be more flexible.
Sarah June
Love it!! Interruptions are everywhere! Our response is vital, loved your points on balance and giving our day to the Lord. Thanks for sharing today.
"I find myself getting grumpy from the pressure of being pulled in multiple directions all day and longing for those late night hours when I have my time to myself and can sacrifice a little sleep in order to complete a job uninterrupted." You are NOT alone on this one girlfriend! You would think that after 14 years of this, I'd learn and I still find myself slipping...It has helped me to focus on the interruptions as opportunities...but there are days:)
I love the verse you gave us here...I'm going to use that one...SOOOO glad you joined me at The Well!
peace Rebecca!
lori
Rebecca, that verse - just what I needed today! Thank you for sharing your heart on the subject of Interruptions. It's going to be something I'm praying about today. It's hard to be flexible for me sometimes, especially when I'm the one who interrupts my own self!
Dearest sister Rebecca,
I so love your post! So transparent and so refreshing! I used to get stuck with the "just a minute" thing as well, especially when my kids wanted to tell me about their day, or show me a new something, something...and you know what? "Just a minute" often never happened. And God used my kids to open my eyes to this. So now, I stop whatever it is I'm doing and listen or watch, or if I know God has told me to stay focused on something, I stop what I'm doing, look them in the eye, sit them in my lap and say, "Hey sweet baby, I love you so much. Right now, God wants me to stay focused on completing this, and I really want to give you my full attention b/c I love you so much, so let me finish this and I will be right there." Then I kiss them, they hug me and I make sure I keep my word.
This in itself has been wonderful God-given opportunities to teach my children that God always comes first, I love them and patience is a good thing.
BTW, I REALLY love the Scripture you shared today! I'm marking it in my Bible!
Bless you!
Sunny
thank you for sharing the scriptures with us and for sharing right from your heart. Flexibility is a word I am learning....thanks for coming to the WELL today. -Blessings.
Ah, the interruptions... beautfully written.
I found your blog on Joyfully Living's blogroll and am excited to connect with other Christian women.
Off to read more of your blog...
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