Holy Interruptions
I have a confession to make. It’s a little embarrassing, and I wish it wasn’t true. I pretend like it isn’t a real thing; I don’t tell many people about this secret. But we’re all sisters here, right? No judgment, right?
Okay, here goes: I prioritize my to-do list above people.
I told you, it’s embarrassing. But it’s true, so there you have it.
I’m sure you’ve never struggled with this. I’m sure you don’t pack your agenda so tight, there’s no room for people. I’m sure you’ve never said no to someone because they weren’t on the schedule. I’m sure you’re always aware of the importance of others and give them your full attention, even when they interrupt your carefully crafted plan for the day.
Or maybe you’re like me, just a little? Maybe you grit your teeth and usher interruptions right back out the door they came in through as soon as possible. Maybe you see people’s needs, inquiries, requests, and even mere presence as infringing on your own needs or the needs of the day you’ve already decided to address when you filled out your daily planner that morning.
We’re experts at to-do lists, multitasking, and getting stuff done. We know exactly how long it takes to get to the car and drive to work, and we fill every minute before with the other tasks we need to accomplish. We strategize with acute detail how we will make dinner, clean the bathroom, get the kids to school, run to the dentist, go to the bank, and maybe even get some yoga in on an already packed workday. Our calendars dictate our hours, minutes, even seconds.
What would happen if we began to leave intentional gaps in our agendas? What if we left pockets of time open? What if we kept buffer space between activities? What if we penciled in “interruptions” in our planners?
Interruptions like a neighbor asking for a cup of sugar and maybe a few words of encouragement. Interruptions like a small child wanting to move slowly and notice dandelions and ants. Interruptions like a customer needing a little extra attention, or the check-out clerk feeling a little chatty. Interruptions like a phone call from a sibling in another state, or the grandmother wanting to catch up. Interruptions like your best friend encountering a crisis and needing a shoulder to cry on.
Wouldn’t these interruptions be worth adding to the plan for the day? Don’t they seem more important than that to-do list, no matter how masterfully sculpted? What might God do with those extra moments?
In chapter 13, verse 2, the author of Hebrews urges us to not forget to show love and hospitality to others, because, for instance, we might be unaware that neighbor asking for sugar is an angel. An angel whose primary job is to bear the messages of God.
So next time you make your to-do list, leave room to be interrupted. Who knows? The interruption might just be an angel with a message from God himself.
Greer Oharah is a lover of authentic words and strong coffee. She is the founder of OrdinaryEpiphanies.com where she writes on encountering God in the sacredness of daily life. She is a nanny, choral accompanist, and piano teacher. Her home is nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains where she lives with her gallant, school-teaching husband.
