The Unexpected Adventure- Interrupted!

Don’t you hate interruptions.  I must admit that I’m not the most patient person in the world and this crops up in all kinds of places, but have you ever thought that some of the interruptions that make impatient people like us frustrated, might actually be placed there by God.  Maybe he’s trying to create opportunities.

Mark shares a story of how he and his wife were eating out at a restaurant and making some plans when the hostess decided to seat another couple right next to them, even though the restaurant was near empty.  Mark was a little annoyed and he was even more annoyed when the couple kept looking over and listening in.  Finally the couple started engaging them in coversation and he was forced to start talking with them, interrupting his planning with his wife.  Well, they asked about his job, and when they found out he was a Christian author, they started arguing with him some as they were committed atheists.  The conversation didn’t go anywhere remarkable, but God did create an opportunity and as it happened, Mark had a copy of a book he’d written sitting in his briefcase which addressed many of their objections to faith.  The woman said she’d like to look at it and even got his email address so she could send him her thoughts.  Before and even during the conversation Mark was somewhat annoyed by the interruption, but as it progressed he realized it was from God. 

We need to take a step back sometimes and wonder about interruptions and delays.  I remember once standing in line in a grocery store when an old woman in front was buying just a few items.  I thought this was the perfect line as the purchase would be done quickly.  I could buy my stuff and rush on to work.  Of course, she presented them slowly, and then even more slowly she started to hunt for her money.  I was getting annoyed, and maybe she and the clerk could even notice that.  She discovered she was short and started looking at her items.  What would she give up.  As she struggled to decide I was getting even more annoyed.

Then it hit me, this might be an interruption and delay, but it was also opportunity.  I gave the clerk a few dollars to cover what she was short.  The woman looked at me and told me it was ok, that I didn’t have to do that.  I responded simply, “Don’t worry.  The Lord provides.  Blessings on your day.”  She thanked me profusely and walked on as I stayed to make my own purchase.  The teller also looked at me and thanked me.

What had been an interruption and delay became an opportunity, even a short one, to give witness to the Lord and his care.

Tags: Unexpected Adventure, witnessing