Inconvenient Interruptions

Feeling cold and headed for a nice hot shower, the phone rings. It’s my daughter. “Mom, I really need to talk. It’s been a rough day. Got a minute?” In that moment, I had a choice. I could ask her to call back at a more convenient time or promise to call her after my shower ended, or I could put my plans on hold and say, “I’m sorry you’ve had a hard day. I’m here and willing to listen. What would you like to share?” I chose the latter. Why? Because timing matters. A receptive heart is waiting when the person tells you, “I’m ready to share, and I know you’re a safe person to be vulnerable with.”

There are times it’s OK to put yourself first, to put a conversation on hold, to meet a personal need; but something that evening in my daughter’s voice told me she needed Mom now, not in thirty minutes or an hour. Now. The shower could wait. I truly had no pressing need to make a shower happen that very minute. I could easily throw a gooshy blanket over my legs to warm up. So, that’s what I did while choosing to follow my gut. I knew the moment would be lost if I walked away and came back later, and I could feel the Holy Spirit saying, “Lori, you need to put her first.”

As I’m writing this devotional, Facebook alerted me to a post a friend forwarded, sharing wise insights from Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I believe it pertains to this. “The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for brethren is learning to listen to them. It is God’s love for us that He not only gives us His Word but also lends us His ear.” Not gonna lie. Tears welled up in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks as I read this. So many times, I haven’t taken time to listen, to be there, to put aside my selfish ambitions. Those are the only moments I regret in life; but, I’m learning it’s inconvenient interruptions God uses. To slow us down. To help us prioritize, refocus. To remind us there’s more to life than our comfort and short term goals. So many stories intermingle with mine, and it’s my willingness to listen and empathize that connects me with others and God’s greater picture.

I love what another friend shared with me this morning, as well. “But God’s Spirit causes us to live in a different way. We love other people. We are happy and we have peace in our minds. We are patient, kind, and good. People can trust us to do what is right.” Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬ ‭Easy English Translation Think God is trying to tell me something? I do.