Living In The Interruptions
Staying Joyful, Despite Disruptions
“‘Interruptions’ is the name of the game.”
It’s an adage my mom coined when I was a child; and it’s so true. When you have kids, life is all about interruptions. If we’re honest, that can be frustrating.
I just want to check one thing off my list, and once again my sweet little two year old comes tugging on my arm, looking up at me with his big brown eyes, asking to “play trains.” My job comes to an unceremonious halt.
Sound familiar? If so, this article is for you.
When we understand God’s purpose for motherhood, we gain a perspective that allows us to live joyfully, even during interruptions.
Here’s a truth worth reflecting on: All of the moments ticking by are part of the life God has ordained for us, not just the ones that feel productive.
I recently read a thought-provoking quote from C.S. Lewis. He wrote:
“The great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one’s ‘own’, or ‘real’ life. The truth is of course that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one’s real life – the life God is sending one day by day: what one calls one’s ‘real life’ is a phantom of one’s own imagination.”
— [1943 letter from the book ‘Yours, Jack: Spiritual Direction from C.S. Lewis’]
When inevitable interruptions arise, our perspective can help us stay joyful.
Here are three things to keep in mind:
1. Our most important job can always be fulfilled.
2. Love is spelled P-L-A-Y.
3. Interruptions are part of God’s plan.
These require a bit of explanation. So here goes:
Perspective # 1: Our most important job can always be fulfilled:
Ambassadors of Reconciliation
God’s ultimate design for motherhood is the same as his design for all of his followers: to bring glory to Jesus Christ!
On days when it feels like I’m not checking off any of the things on my “to-do list,” I am grateful to remember who God has made me to be in Jesus: an ambassador for reconciliation.
In 2 Corinthians 5:18, Paul explains that God “reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” In Verse 20, he emphasizes this again, saying, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”
No matter where I go in my day, I am always being sent by God. He is sovereign over everything. So, whether I’m sharing about the work of Christ in my life with a coworker, or just setting an example of His love for my family by gracefully cleaning up unexpected messes or nourishing my family with a home cooked meal, I’m doing the work He has set before me.
We can always be successful in our day by cheerfully doing the work God has given us!
Colossians 3:23-24 says “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
But let’s be honest for a second. Is it possible to do this every day? Yes! But there’s a catch…
Here’s the key:
Philippians 4:13 says “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Did you catch the wording of that verse? It’s vital. If I’m relying on myself to bring God glory on the days I feel like a failure, it’s not going to work. I just don’t have the strength to do everything I’m called to do without His help. But thank God that Jesus sent His Holy Spirit!
The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us! (Romans 8:11)
We will have all the strength we need when we call on Him.
Therefore, no matter what happens in the day, we can fulfill the role God has given us: to bring glory to His son, Jesus Christ, no matter where our day finds us.
Perspective # 2: For children, love is spelled P-L-A-Y.
Showing our children how much we value them.
“Love is spelled P-L-A-Y.”
I recently learned this phrase from a wise mother at my church. It really stuck with me.
For kids, quality time means play. Through games, make believe, and crafts, etc., we show our children how much we want to be with them, how much we care about the things they like, and what we think of their role in the world. Do we value our time with them? Do we think the things they like and what they’re learning are important? Our attitudes will be revealed in how much time we spend intentionally playing with our kids.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not great at this. I’m preaching to myself. I often have to stop and reflect at the end of the day to think about how much time I spent playing with my son.
It’s tough, because there’s always a running list of tasks that threatens to distract me as I spend time with him; a temptation to cut things short.
But time goes so fast! And the moments of opportunity never come around the same way twice.
I try to keep this in mind when my two year old son comes to me in the middle of dishes and asks “color crayons?” So often, I have had to abandon a train of thought or put down the dirty dishes I was cleaning to indulge his desire to spend time with me. I like getting things out of the way, so it’s sometimes a tough transition, but I’ve never regretted time spent with my son. Dishes always get done, and I can always finish a train of thought later, but the opportunity to show my child love at that particular moment will never re-appear.
To be clear, I’m not saying there are not times to say “Not right now, honey. Mommy is in the middle of something.” Sometimes there are things that have to be done right now. But if it doesn’t have to be done right that moment, consider giving in to your child’s sweet desire for special time with you.
Perspective #3: Interruptions are part of God’s plan.
Sanctification is the name of the game.
You might be rolling your eyes after reading this last heading. Why in the world would God include interruptions in His sovereign plans? What would be the point of that?
Holiness.
Yep, you read that right. Holiness.
Our spiritual state before God is more important to Him than our daily checklist. And guess what makes for great opportunities for growth? You guessed it: frustration via constant interruptions.
I recently heard John Piper say in one of his podcasts “God almost never takes the shortest route between “Point A” and “Point B,” because the efficiency of speed is not what He’s about. His purpose is to sanctify the traveler, and frustrating efficiency is one of God’s primary means of sanctifying grace.”
When I view the tasks of motherhood as things that get in my way, rather than a means of God’s grace for the purpose of sanctification, I miss out on so much spiritual growth!
What should interruptions and frustrations cause us to do? To look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith! God has ordained these things in our lives to make us holy, more like the image of His Son, Jesus.
Romans 8:28-29 says “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
God has called us to a life of growing to be more and more like Him. He is the one who sanctifies us (See Leviticus 20:7-8).
So, be encouraged dear mom.
It’s okay to feel a moment of frustration at being interrupted. We’re all human. But don’t dwell in that frustration.
God has called us to this life of motherhood in order to bring glory to Jesus. The trials of interruptions are there to conform us into his image. One of the most important roles God has given us is to demonstrate His love and affection to our children. It doesn’t take much to make our children feel loved. Let’s open our hearts to the work God is doing in our lives via the moments of frustrating interruptions.
