We interrupt your schedule…

An opportunity to see God work

Welcome! I’m glad you’re here. We begin today by looking at everyone’s not-so-favorite thing: interruptions. Not big, life-changing ones, but the daily, annoying, smaller ones. Somehow, though we acknowledge their inevitability, they still seem unexpected. With well-designed plans we create space to allow for them, yet often feel unprepared in the moment. Like blaring weather alerts in the middle of your TV shows, immediate demands blast into your plans, “We interrupt your schedule to jolt you with a little stress.”

At least, that’s the way I felt last Tuesday…

Intentional planning

Tuesdays are early, busy mornings for my husband and me with each of us having the same two goals: (1) Leave the house by 6:30 a.m. (2) Beat some of the traffic to our destinations.

(Actually, those are Johnny’s Monday–Friday goals, as well. I’m blessed to try to meet them only on Tuesdays!)

For me, Tuesday morning is women’s Bible study in a nearby town. The study doesn’t begin until 9:00, but I have a purpose in leaving early.

Depending on morning traffic, the drive may stretch from its normal 30 minutes to 45 or more. Since the group is graciously working through the beta version of the study I’m writing, I prefer not to be late. By leaving early, I can allow for delays, spend a few minutes at a local coffee shop reviewing the study’s content, put on my make-up in the car, and pray. The well-crafted plan eliminates the stress of timelines and forgotten points of emphasis.

Most of the time.

Intentional planning interrupted

This past Tuesday, I was behind. I had returned the day before from a week away, so a few extra details needed attention before leaving. They pushed departure time to 6:50, but all would be fine. I had allowed for such issues.

However, I had not allowed for Johnny’s call when I was five miles down the road and in the left lane.

“I left my computer at home,” he said as I—hemmed in by traffic and three lanes over—passed the nearest exit and…watched…it…fade…in my rearview mirror.

Realizing the impossibility of me getting over three lanes and off at a reasonably close exit and back home for the computer and down to him and then back to Bible study, I offered to call our daughter so she could grab it and meet him halfway.

But he had meetings beginning as soon as he arrived at the office, and Rachel had to be back home to teach an online class. Neither she nor I could get the computer to him.

Normally, by this time, I would have made my way to the right lane regardless—especially after being away for a week. Compelled by compassion for Johnny and appreciation for how hard he works to care for us, I would have made a valiant effort to fix the situation.

Yet something held me in the left lane. The week away was more than a writing retreat; it was a special time of communing with God and leaning on Him when distractions could have hijacked my thoughts. I had staid my mind on Him then. With His peace assured, I would stay my mind on Him now (Is. 26:3).

An opportunity to see God work

After making the intentional decision to let God handle the interruption, my mind replayed the scene of Johnny leaving the house. Clearly, I saw him pick up his computer backpack and swing it over his shoulder, a daily action I rarely notice.

“Did you get your computer out after you came home last night?” I asked.

“No, but I don’t see my backpack in the car.”

I mentally acknowledged I hadn’t seen it lying in the driveway or street—eliminating the possibility of it being set on the car and forgotten as he drove away—then I assured him he left with backpack in hand.

The sun was now rising enough to slightly illuminate the interior of the car. At that moment, the nylon fabric of his black backpack caught a hint of light and glimmered slightly against the dull black of the passenger floorboard carpet. In response, Johnny exclaimed, “Oh! It’s in the floorboard! I literally couldn’t see it! I’m good!”

Crisis averted. Interruption subdued.

We laughed with relief as Johnny apologized. Then we expressed gratitude to God for taking care of us even in the small things.

Flesh v. Spirit

In my flesh, I have forced my will through interruptions enough to know this situation could have gone differently. I could have returned home, not found the computer, and been frustrated. Can you imagine my mindset for Bible study after that?

Or, if I somehow remembered Johnny carrying the backpack out, I could have responded after he found it, “Whew! Glad I noticed that!” (Notice the “I” there?)

Either way, I would have missed God’s blessings that came by walking in the Spirit: His peace in the moment. His nudging to keep moving forward. The awareness of His sufficiency. The assurance that, with all that’s going on in the world, He cares about our small details. Only by His grace did I yield. Only by His Spirit did my spirit overflow with gratitude.

In Colossians 2:6–7, Paul encouraged the church:

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Paul emphasized that we walk in Christ as we received Him—and we received Him in the Spirit, not by any works accomplished in the flesh. So, let’s walk in Him in the Spirit. For one thing, no other way to “walk in Him” exists. For another, look at the benefits:

Rooted. Built up. Established. Grateful. Interruptions may temporarily shake us, but turning from our flesh to the Spirit keeps us grounded.

Closing thoughts

Perhaps I should clarify something before we close. I do not mean to imply that God will always easily resolve pesky interruptions. Sometimes, He meets you in the middle and equips you for the next step to move through them. Either way, He will be there (Is. 41:10) and His grace will be sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9).

So, when immediate demands blast, “We interrupt your schedule…,” hit the mute button! Purposefully shift from the flesh to the Spirit and take advantage of the opportunity to see God work.

Rooted. Built up. Established. Grateful.

What a great way to live.

If you would like to share an example of living in the Spirit rather than the flesh, scroll down and leave a comment. I would enjoy reading your story!

Until next time!

©2026 Catherine L Hill. All rights reserved.

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