I have a confession: I don’t embrace interruptions delightfully. Truthfully, my best days are focused, productive, and distraction-free. There, I said it. Perhaps this is your confession as well.
For the most part, this mindset works to my benefit. Yet, admittedly, there are times when I would do well to embrace life’s interruptions. And for me, one Friday was one of those times.
On that day, it snowed in my state—a rarity but a welcome, lovely surprise. Schools and many businesses closed, and there was a buzz of excitement in our town as everyone prepared for the snow.
Although we didn’t get a lot of snow, we had enough to enjoy for one lovely day. When the flurries began, I ceased working, went outside, and enjoyed the excited squeals of children on my street. Later in the afternoon, when the snow was still falling, my husband and I walked through our neighborhood and, once again, I watched children play, slide on makeshift cardboard toboggans, and even build a snowman. How they managed this with the little bit of snow we had, I can’t say. But I can say I was delighted with the entire experience.
As I reflect upon this, I realize how much it must thrill God’s heart when we delight in Him, in His creation, and in the simple pleasure He provides.
This verse was King David’s words, written from personal experience as a man who loved God supremely and found his greatest joy in Him (Psalm 37:4). Yet David wasn’t advocating this as a means of receiving whatever we want. Instead, he was saying that delighting in God transforms our hearts to conform to His. And when this happens, we delight in what God desires for us, which is always the best, most blessed things in life. Things like snow days.
So, while it’s admirable to stay on task and work wholeheartedly in whatever we do, there are other times when we’re wise to embrace life’s surprises. And if we do this, we may find ourselves delightfully interrupted and wonderfully blessed.
Carol M. Abbott holds a master’s degree in Vocal Performance and, following a twenty-five-year ministry career in churches and colleges, teaching, performing, and leading praise teams and choirs, has turned her attention to her newfound passion, writing. Now an empty nester, she dedicates her time studying, teaching, and sharing God’s Word through her devotional writings and in community with others. Carol is passionate about the reality and richness of Holy Scripture and has a desire to ignite this passion in others through her writings. An avid blogger, she posts weekly devotional writings at GraceNotesForYou.com. She is also a volunteer leader with COMPEL Writers Training Group, a private vocal instructor and, with her husband of forty years, has been leading small groups for over thirty years.
She is an active and serving member of Fellowship Greenville in Greenville, South Carolina, and attends theology class. When she’s not writing, she enjoys hiking, plant-based cooking, playing Rummikub with her husband, and working in her flower beds.