Embracing Interruptions as Worship

Interruptions are like striking a match to my gas leak of a heart.

In my sin:

  • I am not flexible
  • I don’t answer with a gentle heart
  • I repay evil with evil
  • I don’t bless those who persecute me, even if it is my kids :-)
  • I do resent interruptions
  • I feel angry when I don’t get to do what I am trying to do

If I am working, that is what I want to do. I want to focus wholeheartedly. I can worship more easily, (i think) if I am immersed in whatever it is. My mind can focus, my heart engages, enjoys it, I have fun.

When I am cooking, the last thing I want to do is stop 20 times to put a toy back together, respond to the yell from the bathroom, “ready to be wiped, mom!”, put my daughters hair in a pony tail, spoon feed my baby while she watches me cook, find a star wars character stuck behind the couch, talk with my oldest about selfishness with the claim that “he had it first,” praise my younger son that he is being patient with me while I cook, because he had just been complaining that he would die of a hungry tummy, answer the phone, hold my toddler daughter while I stir, sounds like more than one thing happening, huh? Find me in the kitchen at 5 and if I haven’t prepared dinner during naptime, this is the predicament, I am in. The Match is lit and at any moment my sinful heart could respond.

Walking in a changed heart, a repentant heart looks miraculously different. It is a miracle when any sinner turns from sin.

So, it is a miracle from God a beautiful evidence of God in my heart to remind me to be flexible, joyful, obedient to the whisper of God in those interruptions. To respond peacefully to my children.

My interruptions are blessings not burdens. A true opportunity for my sanctification. Worship? Yes, a heart yielded to Christ in interruptions.

Posted on 7 April '08 by , under Joyful Work, worship.

2 Comments to “Embracing Interruptions as Worship”

#1 Posted by Wendy (08.04.08 at 12:37 )

This is a good reminder. Thanks for your honesty!

#2 Posted by Jenna (12.04.08 at 10:04 )

Ahhhhhh!!!!! I get freaked out even reading your list of typical interruptions. The ones in our house are the same, or very close. And yet I still expect to get things done in X amount of time though I should plan for 30-45 minutes longer. So dinner is typically late. And things get done half-ass because “there was not enough time!!!”. Excuses: my best friend and worst enemy. :) Embracing the interruptions as worship, seeing them as a blessing. Now there is a challenge for my entire life! You are right, as mothers, this is where our sanctification happens. Being a mother=being interrupted. whoooo-boy. It makes me sweat.