I’ve tried to write this article about 367 times. Every time I open my computer, something else needs my attention—and it usually has to do with one of three little blonde boys. I took them to a trampoline park to try to get a moment to write and was immediately called to watch my four-year-old with a broken arm try to get a basketball in the net while jumping on the trampoline. Anyone with a strong-willed toddler will know I stood there for a very long time, trying my best to be encouraging while slowing losing my mind. (And before I even finished typing that sentence, I was up again helping the boys pay for a snack.)

I know—I did this to myself. My husband, Daniel, and were blessed with three busy and beautiful boys. What did we expect, right? To be honest with you, I expected to be able to go to the washroom by myself, to eat warm food and to complete a task without hearing “mama.” Instead, I’ve learned that the littlest things of parenthood are lessons from a Father who wants us to be more like his Son.

Sometimes we see the disruptions of life (like needing to stop writing—again—to wipe someone’s nose) as interrupting our important work when, in reality, those interruptions could be the most important work we do.

Take the story of the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years (see Luke 8:43-48). Jesus was on his way to heal a little girl who was dying, so he had somewhere important to be. But when this woman reached out to him in a crowd, Jesus didn’t ignore her or rush past her. He stopped. He spoke with her. He healed her. I can’t imagine the pressure he must have felt, knowing that the little girl needed him. But Jesus still took the time to stop, listen and show love. He didn’t let her need feel like an inconvenience. The interruption was still important to him.

Then there’s the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, who climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus (see Luke 19:1-10). He wasn’t the kind of person people liked or welcomed, but Jesus didn’t see him as a bother. Instead, Jesus paused and invited himself over to Zacchaeus’ house, much to the shock of everyone around. Jesus didn’t let societal judgment or time constraints get in the way of showing someone love and offering a chance for change. Slowing down and welcoming interruptions was the most important thing. 

In a world where we’re all rushing around trying to meet deadlines and check off to-do lists, Jesus’ way of handling interruptions challenges me. It’s easy to get annoyed or frustrated when things don’t go as planned, but Jesus shows that interruptions often bring opportunities to love and serve in ways we might not expect. 

As parents, we don’t always do a good job of making sure our kids know that they are not annoyances or inconveniences but instead God-given interruptions that remind us to slow down, watch the basketball go in the net, teach problem solving and conflict resolution, wipe a nose, give a hug or stop what we are doing to jump on a trampoline (yes, I did that multiple times while writing this).

The work we do as Salvationists outside of the home is important. It’s missional, it’s kingdom building, it’s soul saving. But if we stay so narrowly focused on that work and forget to see those tiny interruptions pulling at our uniforms or sneaking some candy canes from the kettle room, then we risk missing some of the most important work we can do.

I’m still working on it, but I’m learning to see those moments of interruption as chances to be present, listen and maybe even help in a way I hadn’t planned. After all, the interruptions might just be the very thing that matters most. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going to go play “Baconopoly” with three little boys who are home from school today, interrupting mom and dad in the best way.

Captain Bhreagh Rowe is the community ministries officer, St. Albert Church and Community Centre, Alta.

Photo: Paul Bradbury/KOTO/stock.Adobe.com