INTERRUPTIONS...

There's been a little seed growing in me...ANGER OVER INTERRUPTIONS.  I'm confessing this because I'm recognizing once again that the smallest thing can grow into something ugly and we all have those things.  So I'm working on it and praying for forgiveness.

When the kids were small, interruptions were a part of life.  Most of the time I happily took care of their needs - getting up in the middle of the night, solving disputes, drying tears.  Playing taxi driver was a time to get to know them and their friends better.  I absolutely loved (and still do) shopping for them, making meals, packing lunches for them.  They needed me.  But as they grew and I gained back some time of my own, I guess I had come to expect a certain amount of time to myself.

QUIET TIME.  

SUNDAY PAPER AND SNOOZE TIME.  

ME TIME.

There's the problem - expectations.  Feeling entitled to what I think I deserve.  Emphasis on me.  Nowadays most things go the way I like - I'm blessed to have a schedule that serves others on my terms.  I don't watch the clock a lot.  I have a general time I like to do things and hardly anything gets in the way.  Life is comfortable - maybe too comfortable!  Therefore, this is how I have started to have anger over interruptions.  I was laughing at myself the other day - do you think it's a sin to be angry during Quiet Time?  I can imagine God shaking his head...The cat interrupts me, a singing husband interrupts me, a teen leaves earlier than normal -  maybe I should choose some room where I can shut the door and guarantee no interruptions?  The last two Sundays my afternoon ritual of reading the paper and then snoozing has been interrupting by kitchen noise.  The hubs was doing something good of course.  Was I happy about it?  No.  I felt my time had been interrupted - he should know by now that is what I like to do every Sunday afternoon...

Matthew 14 recounts how Jesus reacted when he was interrupted:  When Jesus heard what had happened (his cousin John's death), he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.  He continued to minister even though he was looking for solace.  Life just interrupts sometimes and we sometimes have to take care of things and look forward to rest later.

So, just FYI for all you young mothers out there, life does get easier in some ways.  You will get more sleep eventually!  You won't have so many little daily interruptions.  But even with a houseful of older kids, there are still interruptions.  Get over yourself.  Expect them.  Better yet, embrace them.  I'm trying...