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. ~ C.S. Lewis
This quote is so profound and so true that I could stop right here and you’d have plenty to think about.
To be honest, there was a time when I thought despairingly that someday I was going to write a book titled The Interrupted Life.
Speaking of interruptions, we actually have a household rule that you can’t talk to Mom while she’s in the bathroom (unless, of course, someone is bleeding profusely, which is usually not the case—rather, it is normally an argument such as, “Mom! Emily says my last name isn’t Siems!”).
Now that I’ve got a few years on me, and a few chicks have flown from the nest, I have a different perspective. All of those interruptions are life.
The baby who “interrupted” my sleep by waking several times at night to nurse.
The toddler who sleepily shuffled down the hall to “interrupt” my sacrificially early devotional time.
The six-year-old who “interrupted” my writing time to ask if I liked her gift (a box containing 44 cents, mostly pennies).
The husband who “interrupted” my evening with musings on his day when I really wanted to read.
Each of these interruptions magically become precious memories when circumstances change.
The babies and toddlers grew up and now live in dorms and other houses.
The six-year-old will be eighteen tomorrow (or so it will seem).
The husband could be taken in an instant, as we’ve seen with family and friends in tragic situations.
The point is not to live in morbid anticipation of tragedy, but to appreciate and have a realistic view of what life is right now.
We can only live right now. Not next week or ten years from now.
It helps to remember that every once in a while.
You have a choice about how you will think and respond when interruptions come. And come they will.
Whatever is sent your way, day by day, is precisely your real life.
Please share your thoughts—leave a comment below…
Charlotte Siems
I'm a happy wife and mom of 12 who lost 100 pounds, shrinking from size 22W to 6 with the T-Tapp workout. I've homeschooled for 26 years, baked a million cookies, taught T-Tapp and kept things together (and mostly sane) at home. I love to help people find practical, real-life solutions for home, family, fitness and business--no guilt or perfection needed!
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Great reminder, Charlotte. Thank you! As a fellow mother-of-twelve, my life is full of “interruptions,” too. This is a beautiful perspective to take, and one I sometimes forget.
The quote you used from Lewis is soooo powerful that I re-posted it on FB. It’s amazing what a little time does to our perspective. I have had to make a conscious decision to embrace the interruptions to MY schedule and it’s amazing the blessings that flow out of that one decision.
Wise words from a century ago by Anna Robertson Brown
In our thoughts, let us not forget one point,
– time spent in being interrupted is not time lost.
A strong thinker once said,
“No one knocks at my door who is not sent by God.”
We are spending time well when we are paying it out to God,
to buy the things he means our lives to own,
whether he is putting before us a duty to be done,
a friend to be won, a small service to be rendered,
a child to be consoled, or a house to be set in order.
There is time enough given us to do
all that God means us to do each day and to do it gloriously!
How do we know but that the interruption we snarl at is the most blessed thing that has come to us in long days?
More here: http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-is-worth-while.html
Thank you for reminding us of this important point. I know that my perspective on interupptions changed drastically several years ago when our son died. Now I love my toddlers interuptions!
Charlotte, I love this article. Those little moments are the ones that are missed when
they no longer happen. My life is a constant interruption as I have a household of 9.
Grown son, daughter, her husband and their 4 children, 7 and under, and my wonderful husband. When those little ones are constantly calling for me, I remind myself that there will be a time, all too soon, when they won’t anymore. So I go and see what silly thing they want to show me. Maybe I don’t get as much done around the house as I would like but when I think about it I am really the only one that cares about getting those things done. My time with the people in my family is what really impacts their lives.
I so needed this today. Thank you.
Charlotte, I posted about one of those interruptions on my blog last year ( http://camsshel.blogspot.com/2011/05/good-morning.html ) but I still needed the reminder this week as we move the 2-year old to the big girl room. Thanks.
)
Dear Charlotte,
My life has been seriously interrupted by adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder syndrome). I had just begun t-tapping. I am helping several others in beginning their t-tapping journey. Can you help me? Can I do the BWO without using my injured shoulder? Will I get any results? Will I become lopsided?:D I hate to stall all these others and don’t want to continue to gain weight and get out of shape. I love your blog, your story and your precious family and life! Can you advise me? Thanks so much!
waaa, totally agree! today i decided to work on my home management binder. i went online and was trying to create something from all the ideas there when i noticed my potty training toddler starting to do his bizness. so i went to put him on the toilet. after he finished and i asked him is he finished, he said “ya” and i cleaned him. then i proceeded to clean the toilet and got a bit carried away wiping the counter. anyway, when i came out, maybe 3 minutes later, he was sitting on my computer chair and he had done more of his bizness there, both number by the way! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
so clean up of that, showering him since it was so messy, dressing him and putting him to sleep… well, that was “interuption” for about 25 mins total.
but then i read your article and you know, i totally agree. this IS my life and its precious and when i tell dh about it later today we will laugh and add that to our list of lovely memories of raising our lovely kids.
God loves us, and He reminds us to be thankful to Him in many ways and some of those we think of as “interuptions”. From now on, I will endeavor to better mind my thought process and think of such happenings as opportunities to thank Him and to get closer to my kids and my family.
Thanks.
ps. thank you for the choc chip recipe. i will try it next baking ‘day’ God willing
Thank you Charlotte. Great article…and we have the same rule about the bathroom door and interruptions!
Jill Farris (mom of 8 ages 6 to 26
http://www.generationalwomanhood.wordpress.com
Thanks for the reminder Charlotte. I often view those interruptions as distractions and inconveniences. but, time will pass so quickly and all I will have are memories. This new perspective will help me to see these moments as precious gifts of the present. God bless you. Thanks for the reality check: “those interruptions are life.”
This is so very true and something I think about from time to time.
Beautifully put. I may need to print this out and place it by my computer to remember when life sends me ‘interruptions’.
Thank you!