I love the way God prepares me for and confirms the lessons that he has for me. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a message in church and then later that day or maybe a few days later I hear the same message in a song on the radio or read it in a devotional. Sometimes the same Bible verse pops up in various places over the course of several days. Has that happened to you?

It would seem that the lesson I am learning about this week is about life’s interruptions. It was part of the lesson in Sunday School this week. We’re going through Cynthia Heald’s Becoming a Woman of Simplicity and this week’s lesson mentioned dealing with life’s interruptions. That really struck a cord with me.

Like most moms I stay pretty busy and involved with a number of commitments. I generally know just how to juggle everything so it all gets done, but as any mom knows, there is always one variable that can throw off the most liberal schedule you can make. That variable is the one you tuck in every night.

It’s not that they try to change your plans, well not always, but sometimes they have needs that you just didn’t count on. Whether your child becomes ill, needs your comfort or direction, or some other issue arises, when your child needs you your whole schedule can get tossed out of the window. Then add in all the other interruptions life can throw your way and things can get really crazy: you discover your car has a flat tire as you head out to the store or to work, a thunderstorm knocks out the electricity before you wake up, or maybe your cell phone dies.

Sometimes the interruptions are longer term events, such as if you are laid off from your job or a loved one becomes seriously ill. Even good interruptions can throw us for a loop, such as getting pregnant unexpectedly. We just never know what life will bring, even if we make wonderfully detailed plans for our lives. One part of bible study that really touched me was Mrs. Heald’s attitude that no matter what situation she found herself in, if God was pleased for her to be there, then she would be pleased as well. What a good reminder for me!

And as it turns out, it was also a timely reminder, too. I’ve had more than the usual number of schedule interruptions this week. Here it is already Thursday and my to do list for this week is mostly not done. That means I’m a bit behind in some areas. It also means that I’ve been blessed by some other unexpected events. And instead of getting discouraged by the interruptions, I’ve looked for the silver linings on some of those clouds that have floated through my days this week. It has been a good week.

I hope you’re having a great week! What lessons has God prepared for you this week?

From my parent’s heart to yours,

Joy

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Joy Goodman is a mom whose mission is to encourage parents and to celebrate joys of being a parent.