Day 12: Interrupted
This was originally posted on January 1, 2013. I was over a week late with the 12th day devotional. Read on to see why…
Okay, here’s the deal. I began 12 Days of Christmas with wonderful plans. And because I had promised to try to encourage those who read my blog to keep focused on the true meaning of Christmas, I myself did a better job this year on keeping that focus. The best way to learn something is to try to teach it to someone else. But then it happened. The interruptions. And so, my 12 Days of Christmas turned to 11 Days of Christmas.
What were those interruptions? I could list quite a few–some were wonderful, joyful interruptions, some were troublesome interruptions, some were tragic interruptions. After I posted Day 11 on 12 Days of Christmas, I settled in to a wonderful visit with our dear friends from Nashville. The girls gathered at our house for lots of chocolate, coffee, funny movies, and good talks. The boys gathered in the Delta for hunting and male bonding. And it was a perfect visit up until the phone rang. I knew something was wrong with the first word. Something about the way he began, “Well, ummm, I have a problem.” Details, unimportant now, came quickly and culminated with “eye injury”.
Our joyful interruption with dear friends turned to a troublesome interruption, which is still going on. Bed rest and daily doctor appointments certainly interrupted the plans we had for our Christmas holiday.
And yet in the midst of it all, I have not once felt a pity party. Why? Because at the same time Mont’s accident occurred, a much more tragic interruption occurred. And within minutes of the first phone call, I received a few more. A tragic interruption in our small town left a community shocked and sad and a sweet family devastated. A police officer known by so many as a kind, brave, hero was shot and killed in the aftermath of a bank robbery. This brave individual I have known since he was a little boy and I continue to pray for and grieve for his family.
So as I sat with and nursed my patient this holiday, I had lots of time to think. And what I kept thinking about over and over is this: these interruptions have a remedy. And that remedy began at Christmas, when a tiny baby was born, for that baby is called Immanuel, God with us.
All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14
It doesn’t matter whether the interruptions are filled with joy or sorrow, Jesus is still present, for He cannot deny His very name. He is Immanuel, God with us. Every day, in every situation.
I always feel a little strange on New Year’s Day. It is a bit sad that another whole year has passed. Did I make the most of it?
And it is a bit strange to wonder what joys and sorrows lay ahead in the coming months. Yet all the while I know that Jesus is Immanuel and will be with me every step of the way.
This year, let’s embrace the joyful interruptions that God brings our way. Even while writing this, I was presented with a joyful interruption that led to a movie date with my three-year-old princess. Sadly, there have been times that I would have missed an opportunity like that for seeing it as an inconvenient interruption.
And this year, if troublesome or even tragic interruptions come your way, know that He is, and always will be, Immanuel.
The first day of Mont’s bed rest, we determined that 10 days of rest could actually be a blessing. As we end those days, I see them as just that. A blessed interruption.
No matter what, know that this year, and every year, God is with you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Update 2014:
Strange that a year has passed. Mont’s eye injury is completely healed. It has been a great year, filled with many wonderful, joyful changes. Yes, there have been troublesome times, as well, but that is for another day.
I saw the family of the fallen police officer recently. I have prayed for them so much lately, and I know that this year anniversary, along with the bitter/sweet of the Christmas season, has got to be tough. Let’s don’t forget others, friends. Let’s don’t forget that the holidays can be anything but joyous for some. Let’s reach out with love and prayers and help. And let’s pray that they can feel the presence of the One who can to heal the brokenhearted, the One who will never leave or forsake, the One who brings light and comfort in this dark world. That is the real deal, folks. That is why we celebrate Christmas. Merry Christmas to each of you.
Update 2017:
