{I met Betsy deCruz in person at She Speaks in 2014. We had been online friends through Compel-Writing Words that Move People. Betsy’s a little bitty thing, with a huge heart for encouraging women to get into God’s word, so their faith can spill out. It was at Betsy’s encouragement that I began to blog weekly, rather than every two weeks! Thank you my friend!}

Do you ever get in a snit when the people in your life unexpectedly change your plans? I certainly wasn’t expecting visitors to arrive one and a half hours early while I was still in my pajamas.

After a leisurely Sunday breakfast, I was cleaning the kitchen while my husband took our daughter to skating practice. I looked at the clock. If I timed everything just right, I could take a shower and finish preparing lunch for fifteen people before our house church started at noon.

The doorbell interrupted my thoughts. The first guests had already arrived.
Panicked, I ran down the hall to my son’s room.

“Andres!” I called. “Answer the door! I’ve got to take a shower!”

I raced into the bathroom, locked the door, and somehow emerged fifteen minutes later with clothes and makeup on. I’d love to say I was calm and peaceful while I made tea and talked with our visitors, but I’d be lying. On the inside I was hot and bothered and fretting over how I was going to have lunch ready for our house church.

I worried needlessly. Everything turned out fine, and we had a great meeting.

Believe it or not, I’ve found myself in pajamas when guests arrive lots of times.

I live in the Middle East, where spontaneity reigns supreme. People arrive late, early, or they may pop in for a surprise. You plan tea and cake for three ladies, and eight show up.

Kind of hard for a planner girl like me. A girl trying to be Jesus to the people around her. Only they can’t really see Him if she’s in a snit because they’re bumping into her plans.

People Change Our Plans

You probably face unexpected interruptions because you have people in your life too. The school calls to say your child is sick. Your teen ran out of contact lens solution. Your husband needs a favor. Most days bring at least one assignment you didn’t count on.

I get frustrated more often than I’d like to admit when my people need something I didn’t expect. It goes to show how selfish I can be. I’m probably the only one who reacts this way, but just in case you do too, here’s a plan we can work on together:

How to Not Get Hot and Bothered by Interruptions

Kiss the Old You Goodbye
The Old Betsy gets bent out of shape when someone needs a favor she wasn’t expecting. She gets a martyr complex and starts an inner rant about boundaries. If you’re anything like me, stop in your tracks and tell that Old You to take a hike.

Let God Renew Your Attitude
Of course we need healthy boundaries, but sometimes what we view as an interruption might be God’s assignment. Will we be faithful and go the extra mile to serve someone else? As we ask the Holy Spirit to change our attitude, He’ll give us the grace we need.

Put on the New You
Think about how Jesus would respond in your situation. Then in faith put on a smile and do that. Do that Jesus thing. Put on the New You, the one created to be like God.
The next time someone needs something I didn’t expect, I don’t want to get crabby on them. Instead, I want to consider that it might be God’s assignment, an opportunity to step out and put on the New Me.

Now it’s your turn: How do you handle it when people bump into your plans?

 

Betsy and I love to hear your thoughts! Everyone who comments on her post this week, will be entered to win a copy of Susie Larson’s Your Sacred Yes and Everyday Confetti by Karen Ehman & Glynnis Whitwer. Shower Betsy with your love and comments! Winner to be announced next week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Betsy de Cruz enjoys God, life with teenagers, and dark roast coffee.  She and her crazy nomad family are currently spending 9 months in Dallas, Texas, but they look forward to returning to Turkey, their favorite home. Betsy’s passion is to encourage women to get God’s Word in, so their faith can spill out, even during life’s bumpy moments. She writes about everyday faith at faithspillingover.com. You can also connect with Betsy on Twitter , Facebook, and Pinterest.