Life Interruptions.

Do you experience these as often as I do?

With 5 kids in the house, I feel like every moment of my day is filled with them.

From “Mom, can I have something to eat?” to “Mom, can you help me?” and then there is the occasional… “Uh Mom. Don’t get mad, but…”

I’ve come to expect these throughout my day, so when they happen it’s not so much of an irritation.

But what about those times when they are unexpected?

What about those times when we really want to say, “Go away, I need some alone time”?

It’s in that moment, where expectations and interruptions collide, that frustration begins and comfortability ends.

“Sometimes the divine intervention of God means breaking allegiance with what you love.”
― Priscilla Shirer, Life Interrupted

When Life Interruptions Lead to Opportunities

I was sitting in church, trying to unwind from another hectic morning.

Every Sunday seems to be the same; I get up early and end up running late.

I was craving worship with my Father.

As the music began to play, I could literally feel the stress melting away.

My shoulders relaxed, my eyes were closed.

Just as I had begun letting it all go, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

As I looked up I saw my husband motioning to scoot over for a couple of women who had walked in late.

Slightly annoyed, I half smiled, shook my head signaling “No problem” and I begrudgingly scooched over a few seats.

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9 ESV

As worship ended, we all sat down to hear the message.

Moments later I hear a loud, continual hacking cough from my right.

It was one of the ladies who came in late.

I’d like to say that I saw the hand of God in this situation right away. However, at that very moment all I was seeing was that I was unexpectedly being interrupted, again.

One minute I was comfortable, relaxed and listening to the message and the next I was moving over and being distracted by hacking coughs.

Frustration began to consume me.

Accusation towards this woman, whom I had only had a brief encounter with, flooded my mind.

In the midst of that bash session, I heard a quiet voice whisper, “Are you willing to get uncomfortable?”

I immediately understood the repercussions of the answer.

Was I going to let God bring people into my path at an inconvenient moment?

Would I allow Him to break up my comfortable little world and welcome in those who were hurting, or was I just going to sit around talking about “how much I wanted to make an impact”?

I knew what it would take. I had to count the cost.

[bctt tweet=”When we follow Jesus, we will get interrupted. We will get uncomfortable.” username=”Alisa_Nicaud”]

From that moment on, I barely listened to the message.

I kept wondering about these two interruptions.

Why was she late? What was her story?

Something in me knew this woman was divinely placed in that spot.

My hardened heart was melting for this woman, who I’d resented seconds before.

As my pastor finished up the sermon, he began an invitation to receive Christ.

Now I have to admit, I’m a “peeker”.

I like to see whose raising their hands. Not to be nosy, but because I like to put faces to those raising their hands. I pray and believe with them for a life forever changed by a God who unconditionally loves them and desperately wants to relate to them.

As I looked around, praying for God to draw hearts to Him, I saw a hand shoot up from the corner of my right eye.

It was her, the lady that was late!

I couldn’t believe it. Except that I could.

Isn’t that so God?

By providing those opportunities for interruptions, He was asking me, “Will you make room in your comfortable spot to add one more? Will you help me to bring her into the fold?”

My eyes welled up with tears.

He had reserved that spot for her, long before I arrived that morning. Even with my attitude and frustration, he allowed me to play a small part in that woman’s salvation.

All I had to do was make a little room.

Is there an area where God is asking you to get uncomfortable? Are you allowing Him to interrupt your day, so He can give you glimpses of His glory?

Although these moments of surprise can be annoying, perhaps we can begin seeing them as opportunities. Just maybe, God wants to invite us to see beyond ourselves and enjoy the view from His perspective. When we see life’s interruptions as opportunities, our eyes are opened to see God move in ways we never imagined.