By Kristin Milner

Do you allow for interruptions? I’ve had to learn that interruptions aren’t only inevitable, but they can be blessings too. 

A Day When No Interruptions Were Needed

It was a very special day for my husband. In fact, it was special for our entire family. As an executive pastor, Tim’s main job responsibility was managing all the behind the scenes operations of the church. On this special day, however, he was preaching for the very first time.

I’m not sure who was more nervous, him or me. That morning, I woke up extra early so I could send him off with a special breakfast before he left at 7:30 a.m. Our oldest daughter was barely two, and our second was a newborn. Waking up early was a huge sacrifice. However, I was determined to make this day special.

Breakfast turned into a large spread. Bacon, homemade pancakes and scrambled eggs. Between nursing the baby, taking care of our toddler, cooking breakfast, getting the girls and myself ready, I was already exhausted. I was already sweating and overwhelmed by 7:00 a.m.. However, I was determined to make this day special. 

As part of my plan to create the perfect day, I convinced myself I had time to clean the entire kitchen before I left for church with the girls. I didn’t want my husband coming home to a kitchen disaster on his special day. 

A Day Spoiled By Interruptions

My perfect plans suddenly took a wrong turn. As I was quickly cleaning, I spilled bacon grease all over the floor and myself. Ironically, the only way to clean up bacon grease from hardwood is to pour white flour all over the flour and let it soak. I poured white flour all over the flour, and surrendered to the fact I would have to leave it there until we got home.

Still determined to make the day perfect, I changed my clothes which were also covered in bacon grease. In that moment, I realized all my clean pants were in the washing machine. Still damp. 

I’m not sure if you’ve ever put on damp jeans. I can tell you from experience, it’s not easy. I quickly changed my shirt and hurried to church with the girls. The morning was not going as planned, but I was still determined to make it perfect.

As I unloaded the kids from the car, I caught a glimpse of my belly button through my shirt. I was in such a rush, I never looked at myself in the mirror. My shirt was see through. 

I sat on the front row with my see-through shirt as Tim preached his very first sermon. Instead of the perfect day I imagined, I held back tears from stress, overwhelm, exhaustion and embarrassment. 

Jesus Allowed for Interruptions

In Luke 8, we see how Jesus handled an interruption. He was on his way to the synagogue. The synagogue ruler’s only daughter was dying. There was urgency and anticipation as the ruler’s family awaited his arrival. 

As Jesus made his way to see this young girl, large crowds surrounded him. Jesus suddenly felt someone touch him. A woman in the crowd who also needed healing. She had been sick for twelve years, and was in need of healing. Although his mission to save the synagogue ruler’s daughter was urgent, he allowed interruptions from the crowd.  

Jesus remained focused but unrushed. He wasn’t overwhelmed, overstressed or over-scheduled. He allowed himself to be fully present and intentional, embracing interruptions as needed.

Do You Allow for Interruptions?

Having a heart for interruptions requires inviting interruptions in our schedules.

A Wife Like Me – Kristin Milner

When the laundry is piling up, the house is a disaster, and our to-do list seems never ending, it’s hard to stop for unexpected interruptions. But that’s exactly what Jesus did. When he was his way to his ultimate destination, he stopped and helped someone else along the way. 

What if we planned for more interruptions during our week and invited them into the small spaces with us more often? What would our marriages look like if we let our husbands interrupt our business more often, or our children’s interruptions be joyful instead of burdening? When we have more room in our schedules, we become better equipped to handle life when it starts pressing in on us.  

As you ponder whether you allow for interruptions, ask God for help. Ask him to forgive you when you’ve blown it, and ask him to help you be more patient during future interruptions. He’ll be faithful to help you as you follow Jesus as your example.

Wife Step: Think of the last time your husband or child asked for something and you felt as if it was interrupting what you were doing, so you said no. What was your reason for saying no? What would you have gained by saying yes?

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