Being Thankful Even For Interruptions

By:  Donna Martin

Each morning I try to spend a few minutes reading a devotional from the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  It is amazing to me how this book speaks to my heart and life each day.  This past week the devotionals have talked about staying close to God and being aware of his presence in our daily lives. 

This is a busy time of year for us. There have been several days when things have not gone as expected. As you can tell, this newsletter is a few days late due to our busy lives.  Each day we experience interruptions, changed schedules, and unexpected events.  We have a choice, we can get upset and stressed over our crazy lives, or we can draw close to God and observe how he can work in our lives when things don’t seem to be going as planned.

Jesus said “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”  God gives us enough hours in the day to do the things that we need to do.  I have to remind myself of this often when life gets crazy.  Life is full of interruptions.  We have a choice when interrupted, we can get upset, worry about not getting things done, and become short tempered with our family.  Or we can look to God and see if maybe He is directing our life and time in a different direction. 

I admit I am like Paul when he said in Philippians 1:13, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it…”  I struggle every day to stay calm and not worry about what needs to be done.  But I am trying to pray instead of worry, rejoice instead of complain, and draw close to God who will “supply all my needs according to His riches in glory!”  (Philippians 4:19)

When we count our blessings at Thanksgiving we probably seldom thank God for life’s interruptions.  But perhaps being thankful for interruptions is the key to trusting God completely and giving over our worries to Him.  So this holiday season when it seems like everything is getting in the way of getting everything done, stop, thank God that He is in control of all things and remind yourself that God gives you enough hours in the day to do the things He wants you to do.

The Martins currently present “Happy Together” Marriage Enrichment Events for churches and organizations.  To schedule an event call Michael at 940-735-1515.  They are certified “Prepare/Enrich” Facilitators and are available to work with couples on an individual basis using the “Prepare/Enrich Assessment.”  They publish a weekly “Happy Together” Blog about family and marriage issues.  You can order copies of their new books Dancing With Death and 366 Tidbits We Have Learned in 14,610 Days of Marriage, read and subscribe to their “Happy Together” Blog by logging onto the Martin’s website at www.happytogethermarriage.com.