Interrupted / Guest Post by Tom Parochelli

Now, I don't know if you're anything like me, but I don't love interruptions. I love to do things when I want to do them: planning out my day the way I want, eating meals when I'm hungry, taking a break when I want to take a break, and doing things in my timing. But I don't think that's how I'm supposed to live.

An Interruption by the Holy Spirit

Last night, I was interrupted. And I believe it was by the Holy Spirit because the thought was better than me, aligned with Scripture, and immediately pointed me to Jesus.
As I lay there, I began thinking about how often Jesus was interrupted during His ministry. He was interrupted while teaching, traveling, resting, praying, and even during personal interactions. Yet time after time, He responded with compassion and purpose. As I was lying there hoping I would fall asleep quickly and not be interrupted again, the story of the paralytic being lowered through the roof came to mind.

The Paralytic at Capernaum

In Mark 2, Jesus had returned to Capernaum, and a large crowd gathered at the house where He was staying. He was teaching the people when four men arrived carrying their paralyzed friend. Unable to get through the crowd, they climbed onto the roof, made an opening, and lowered the man down before Jesus.

Talk about an interruption. But when Jesus saw their faith, He didn't respond with frustration. He stopped, engaged the moment, forgave the man's sins, and healed him. What looked like an interruption became an opportunity for ministry.

Letting the Children Come

Another example is found in Mark 10. Jesus was teaching large crowds and answering difficult questions when people began bringing children to Him. The disciples rebuked them and tried to send them away. But Jesus responded differently:


It's amazing to think about. Jesus was in the middle of important teaching and serious conversations, yet He stopped to welcome and bless a group of children. Once again, He embraced the interruption.

A Lesson for My Heart

As I reflected on these moments, I found myself thinking, "Jesus, You're awesome. You're always open to interruptions."

Then came the conviction.

"That ain't me, Jesus."

Sometimes I get really frustrated when my plans are interrupted. Earlier this week, I was working on a creative project for Pure Encouragement. While I was focused on it, one of my kids came into my office and started rummaging around looking for a toy.

I didn't say anything, but internally I was thinking, "What are you doing? Can't you see I'm doing ministry here?"

But as I reflected on that moment, I realized something: that sweet child is also my ministry. How often do I become so focused on serving God that I miss the people God has placed right in front of me?

An Encounter at Lunch

A few days later, I was having lunch with some friends. I was excitedly telling them about the Proverbs Journey Group when a man sitting nearby overheard our conversation.
He stood up and said, "Hey, I heard you talking about the Bible and God."

We welcomed him into the conversation, and as we talked, it became clear that he was deeply interested in spiritual things. He eagerly shared about a conference he was involved with and asked questions about what I meant when I talked about a relationship with Jesus. Several times, he responded, "Yeah, but what does that mean?"

The more we talked, the more I realized he was genuinely trying to connect the dots. He was searching for clarity and understanding. Eventually, because my friends and I were on a tight lunch break, I politely ended the conversation so we could finish our meal and get back to work.

But later that night, lying awake, I started wondering if I had missed an opportunity. Could I have taken a few extra minutes? Could I have offered him my phone number and invited him to continue the conversation another time? Maybe I did the best I could in that moment. Maybe not. But I couldn't shake the thought that I had viewed him primarily as an interruption rather than a person.

Trusting the Lord's Steps

My mind then went to Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. When the Spirit prompted Philip, he ran to the chariot. And when Philip asked if the eunuch understood the Scriptures he was reading, the man replied, "How can I, unless someone guides me?"

He recognized his need, and Philip was willing to step into the interruption.

Since that night, I've been asking the Lord to help me see interruptions differently. What if many of the interruptions we resist are actually opportunities to love, serve, encourage, and minister to the people around us?

In our Journey Group, we've been studying Proverbs, and one verse keeps coming to mind:


I can make plans. I can build schedules. I can organize my day. But the Lord often establishes my steps through the very interruptions I try to avoid.

So my prayer is simple: Lord, give me a heart that welcomes interruptions. Help me see people the way You see them. Whether I'm at work, at church, with my family, or simply going about my day, help me remember that serving You often looks like stopping for someone else. And when You interrupt my plans, help me trust that Your plans are better.