The Gift of: Interruption

It sounds odd to say, but I am seeing how the gift of interruptions are really one of the fastest ways to be confronted with Reality - in myself, in others, and in my surroundings. 

Why is that a good thing, though?  Why do I even want facetime with Reality?

Well, the Real things in life (the non-instant, non-poof, non-immediate) seem to be rather elusive to us these days.  We are constantly searching, and pouring effort, and so depressed, and always anxious, and unsatisfied with EVERYTHING.  It seems that we are more and more shocked at how relationships, work, family, jobs, fun, pain, heck - even the weather, all actually work.  We are becoming more self-centered, and more concerned with instant-gratification, than with actual Process.

And, since Process is the point (can't get away from this, people), I think it's very important to get facetime with Reality, for Reality shows us just how much Process is around, and in, us.

We MUST give room for Process....
for the incomplete...
for the already-but-not-yet...
for the moment....
for the unfinished....
for the never arriving....
for the surrender of control: I am not God.

In short, when we disengage from Reality, and from Process, we are not growing up, but staying as children.

Now, while there are MANY beautiful qualities about a child, the immaturity's (that the family is hopefully, patiently, lovingly helping her to outgrow) are not some of the benefits of childhood. 

• It is not helpful to remain in a state where you cannot see how much work/time/effort/love goes in to providing a house, food, clothes, friends, or hugs.
• It is not helpful to stay in a place where you assume everything everyone does is personally aimed at you.
• It is not helpful to continue to believe that it is everyone else's job to fix your problems, meet your needs, or give you a gold star for showing up.
• It is not helpful to believe that entertainment/fun/rest/relationships exist separate from work (they still exist, but not in the form a child receives).

Now, are there seasons when it is completely appropriate to live in those stages?  Of course!  It's called "childhood."  But, when adults (18+) are still so strongly in these stages, it takes harsher and harsher doses of Reality to awaken, strengthen, mature, and pull one out of such belief's.

Because we are all made to function in Reality, this journey our cultures seems to be taking into a "fantasy-poof-instant" world, is really killing us slowly, for it is slowly turning us away from the Real.

Y'all, a 3D movie of water may be beautiful, shiny, fun, and lasting, but it will never satisfy thirst.  

And we are a very thirsty culture.

Which is why, to circle all the way back around, Interruptions are a gift. 
They are not fun. 
They often create tension and stress. 
They show us how far we have to grow. 
But, they are a gift.

(Which, to be real, I have been interrupted by the boys with various needs/questions/curiosities MULTIPLE times in the last hour.  I was super impatient at the last one, when the irony of 'this blog-my Real life' hit me.  I, obviously, have much to learn as well.  Preaching to the choir, peeps!)

So, the next time our needs/plans/work are thwarted by a child, friend, boss, co-worker, weather, work, neighbor, health, or crisis....Pause.....Take a deep breath.....And let's ask Jesus to open our eyes more fully to the Real.  The Good.  The True. The Beautiful.  The Process.

For, when these are the cries of our heart, we will always be led one way: to the Person in whom all these exist: Jesus.

Jesus is the Ultimate Reality, the Truth, our Living Water, and the Eternal One who will continue to walk with us in the Process He began in our lives. He is faithful to finish what He starts!

Can I get a "huzzah!"?