Friday, September 10, 2010

Interruptions

Confession: I cannot multi-task.

Not even a little.

If I'm talking to you on the phone and try to do something else, my uh-huhs to your stories will turn hollow and by the time I'm done doing what I was trying to do I will have to apologetically ask, "What did you just say?"

I'm an embarrassment to the great multi-tasking female race.

On another note, I like to be productive. I like to make it through a day with something accomplished. Preferably several somethings.

It has been said, maybe by Jill Savage, that motherhood is the ministry of interruption, or maybe it is the ministry of availability. Regardless, this does not bode well for a non-multi-tasking-likes-to-be-productive woman (the same could probably be said of a multi-tasking-likes-to-be-productive woman, although she would probably handle the interruption better).

Kids Interrupt. Often. Everyday. Always.

Don't get me wrong, I want to be available to my kids. I want them to know they are more important than any project I may be working on. But in real life, this does not always show. I get frustrated by the constant interruptions, the refereeing, and the cleaning up of messes that I probably could have prevented if I wasn't so focused on the task at hand.

And this is why motherhood is good for me in the take-your-medicine-even-though-it-might-not-taste-good kind of way. Because when it comes down to it, motherhood gives me daily opportunities to lay down my life for another. To lay down my to-do list and my agenda and serve someone else.

So I guess this means I need to start giving thanks for the interruptions, the refereeing and the cleaning up of messes. Maybe even look at them as opportunities to serve my Creator instead of my self. All the while reminding myself that my first priority as mom is shaping and molding and not planning and accomplishing.

Or I could keep getting frustrated...

The answer is obvious, if only it was that simple to act on in real life.

Instead I have one more area to confess my weakness, pray for help, seek truth and depend on His grace.

6 comments:

Amber said...

blogs need a "like" button too. : )

Michelle P. said...

I need to be confessing right along with you on this one, Megan!

-Michelle P.

The Waite Family said...

Very well said! You really have a way with words. I love reading your blog. By the way, I realized that we have a common friend...Missy Nicholson. I noticed that you posted on her blog. I know her through her sister who lives here in North Carolina. I hope Suhn is doing well.

Our Journey to Grace and Olivia said...

You offer me such inspiration and perspective through your posts. Thanks for being so transparent. I can relate so well. Truth well spoken my friend.

Nikki said...

I came over from, well, I don't remember how I found you. But this post sounds exactly like me. I want to tell my children, "Leave me alone; I'm trying to get something done." Then I remember that they are my first priority and love, not the dishes or laundry or whatever. Thanks for this great reminder.

Genny said...

Megan,
I love, love, love this. My son is the king of interruptions and I feel like I've been getting impatient with him lately. This was a great reminder to me; thank you! I hope you and your family are doing well!

Hugs to you,
Genny