Interruptions in our day can be so frustrating. You’d think after the year I’ve had with Gideon I’d be used to them by now… But I’m not. Interruptions are still frustrating.

I got stuck at the railroad tracks this morning on the way home from my work out. Interruption of the day #1. So I did what everyone else does- I pulled out my phone and started checking my emails. The first one I opened was a Christine Caine devotional and can you guess what the topic was? Interruptions! Here’s a little bit of what it said-

But let me tell you, some of my most memorable moments of God working in me and through me occurred in the “interruptions” of my day. In the midst of these divine interruptions, I realize more and more that God sees the bigger picture, not just my little world.

Realizing today’s devotional was no accident, I asked God to help me see the bigger picture as the day unfolds and interruptions pop up. (Because obviously they’re now going to now, right??)

When I got home I was going through my morning routine- make the coffee, make my shake, pack K’s lunch, get G’s bottle ready- and everything was rolling along as usual. I walked into G’s room because he was singing (you know he’d been up the whole time I was gone). I put the bottle in his mouth while I quickly changed his diaper. (Insert Mission Impossible theme song.) But today I noticed he was holding the bottle longer than usual, so I let him lay there and feed himself while I grabbed my cup to finish my shake.

Here comes interruption of the day #2.

Gideon got excited (for reasons I still don’t know) and began flapping his arms and legs. Naturally I grabbed his bottle but in the midst of the arm flapping, he knocked my drink out of my hand. So I went into ninja mode and keeping one hand on Gideon, I attempted to grab the cup.

Needless to say there was chocolate protein shake EVERYWHERE. I should have let the cup fall. All I did was make things worse because I bounced the cup a few extra times trying to catch it. The result was a mess that extended from his window to his door. THAT’S ALL THE WAY ACROSS HIS ROOM!!

And here’s the interesting part. There was only about 2 ounces left in my cup!! How did so little spread so far??? I took Gideon to Kevin, grabbed my Sol-U-Mel stain remover, and headed back to my mess.

As I got down on my knees (frustrated) I remembered my devotional this morning. I began to clean and with a deep sigh I said, “Okay Lord, I’m sure there’s a lesson here…I’m listening.” When I didn’t “hear” from Him, I started thinking to myself- It’s a good thing we have dark carpet because if this stains, at least no one will be able to see it!!

And then it hit me.

How often times do we have sin in our lives that no one can see? Maybe it’s envy or pride or lust. We think our sin is so small, so invisible that it cannot possibly affect us so much. But the truth is, it does. Galatians 5:9 says, “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”

Like yeast spreads throughout, so does our sin that no one can see. We can try to hide it or we can try to clean it up ourselves… but left to our own means, the stain of sin is still there. And God still sees it.

So how do we clean up the stains? Thankfully my cleaner removed all the spots from my carpet. As for the stains in my life, Jesus took care of those more than two thousand years ago when he gave his life for me on the cross.

Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Ephesians 1:7 says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” 

Christine Caine’s devotional was right on this morning. Such a frustrating interruption quickly turned into an intimate moment with the Lord because I was willing to embrace it and seek Him in the midst of it. God’s not concerned with my little schedule in my little world. He’s doing something far bigger than I could ever imagine.

In the midst of your own interruptions today, ask the Lord what He wants to show you. And chances are, He’ll meet with you in a big way.

Gideon got fitted for new ear molds yesterday and he did so good…at first. Dr. King (at Medical City Dallas) put the hearing aids on him and he listened for about 2-3 minutes with no tears.

And then we began to cycle through some of the stages of grief.

Gideon started out with depression..

And what started out as a sad/unsure face, quickly turned into what looked as though he was begging for us to take them out (bargaining)..

When we did not appease his request, his sadness turned to anger..

And while the anger lasted for a long time, eventually he came around to acceptance..

Okay, if you believe that last part then you’re in denial.

We never really reached acceptance. When I glanced away for a few seconds, Gideon had already taken the right hearing aid out and was working on the left. I’m not surprised because he has never worn his hearing aids for very long. We’ve tried every head-band, hat, bonnet that’s on the market and nothing has worked. Distraction tricks? Yup, tried those too. You name it, we’ve tried it.

To be honest, since he got sick in January, I haven’t even tried to make him wear them…mostly because it wears me out! Holding his hands down while he cries and having to put them back in every few seconds is exhausting and defeating.

But we’re starting over with small goals. Wearing them for a minimum of 30 minutes every day this week is my goal for Gideon.

Looking at this series of photos above gives you an idea of what these 30 minutes a day will be like. I have a feeling I will be cycling through my own stages of grief this week.

So as always, prayers are appreciated.

“Don’t kill these mom!!” Those were the words my daughter spoke to  me yesterday as she handed me a pint of pink petunias. I quickly asked her, “What makes you say that?” She replied, “Mimi told me to say that to you.”

I love my little girl and my little girl loves her Mimi. And together they love to buy, plant and water flowers. An enthusiasm I do not share.

I’m not really sure why I dislike “gardening.” I think it probably has something to do with the fact that I’m terrible at it. I water too much, I water too little…either way, I have a tendency to kill all forms of plant life.

For you green thumbs out there (Hi Mom!), you guys think it’s so easy; and that is because you take the time and make the effort. 

I’ve only had these petunias for a day and you can already tell they’re on their way to plant heaven. And honestly I don’t feel too broken up about it (probably because I didn’t buy them).

What I find interesting is how quickly these flowers have begun to fade after only one day of neglect.

This got me thinking about my spiritual walk. When I let even one day go by without reading God’s Word, I find myself beaten down by the end of the day. I feel burnt out- like I have nothing left to give.

Just like these petunias begin to fade after one day of neglect, so will our ability to make wise choices if we don’t daily spend time with Him. If you’re like me, you’ll find every excuse as to why you cannot make time for the Lord.

But just like caring for these silly flowers, it’s a choice. We either take the time and make the effort, or we don’t. Gardening doesn’t come natural to me, but I’ll probably need to take time and make the effort because it’s important to my little girl. It’s a way to build our relationship and spend time together.

Isn’t it interesting that if the relationship means somethings to us, we’ll find the time and we’ll make the effort? How much more important is it then, that we make time for our Heavenly Father and King? After all, that’s the most important relationship in our lives. Let’s not kill it with neglect.

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”  Colossians 3:15-17 (The Message)