I practically ran out of work today. I was ready to sit on my porch and watch the predicted storms roll in for the evening. Kenny was going to be home a little later due to a work obligation. My plan was to intentionally drag my feet regarding the evening chores: chickens need attention, and the pigs will be getting antsy. We had prepped food for the week, so I wouldn’t need to cook. It was looking to be a great evening. Of course, that’s when things happen.
Comfy clothes were engaged, and porch time commenced. I opened my laptop to answer a few emails and quickly caught sight of something out of my peripheral view. A dark figure with four short legs blazed a trail across the pasture. Fantastic! The husband is gone, it’s pouring down rain with lots of thunder and potential tornadoes, and I have a pig out. Good grief! Welcome to life at my house.
Most days, I’m not looking for an interruption by a rogue pig. But to be honest, am I welcoming an interruption by anyone? Whether I’m sprinting through Kroger or leaving church on Sunday morning, am I anticipating who God might be putting in front of me? When I’m in the cafeteria line at work or stepping onto the elevator. If my head is buried in my phone or I’m otherwise intentionally avoiding eye contact, I’m potentially missing a divinely appointed opportunity.
All pigs and joking aside, we rush around too much. We don’t allow time for anything to unfold in front of us. Or if we do and we’re actually aware, we often still keep moving in the same direction and don’t appreciate what God might be trying to do. I’m certain we don’t want to realize all we’ve missed out on.
Jesus was known for being present. There was even a “miracle on the way to a miracle” recorded in Mark 5 and Luke 8. Be like Jesus. Be prepared to be interrupted.
After a second escape, I decided extra measures were going to be needed. I found a few stakes outside the barn to hammer as reinforcement for the fence, and just propped myself up to wait for the man of the house to come home and help further. Another crisis averted. Another opportunity to learn something, maybe even from a pig.