Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)

It got quiet on the blog last week. I posted my most recent article seven days ago. My average visitor numbers went way down. My inbox is full with articles from other bloggers I look forward to reading. 

Last week, I knew without a doubt I was needed at home. My cyber community would just have to wait.

A friend visited us. Life has her tired. I sensed this from the messages we’d exchanged. But the moment I saw her, I knew. God would use me, my family and our home, to renew her energy. We had a super fun week. Grilling out, a campfire, shopping at Goodwill and Salvation Army, visiting my daughter’s classroom, our first trip to the lakeshore. Simple. Rejuvenation. My prayer is that she left here a bit more ready to embrace her own life again. 

My daughter is nearing the end of a school year. Her reading and writing aren’t where we want them to be. She’s not behind. She doesn’t hate it because it’s hard. Yet. We just need some improvement. I’m adjusting a larger portion of my focus to her. If we can hone in on these skills now, while she’s young, a whole world of learning will open up to her. School will continue to be fun, not a challenge.

We had a garage sale. Planted our garden. Got us some pigs. Had friends and family over for a bonfire. Real life happened right here in my own backyard, so to speak, and I wanted to fully participate.

I look forward to getting back to my writing. I have some great books I’ve read and I want tell you about them and give some away. The ideas for future projects and articles keep coming and I need to get words on paper to process all that.

But these last few days, God had me focused on life at home. And I sensed Him whispering to me several times, 

I need you right here in the moment. Is that alright with you?

In the midst of what I might consider “interruptions,” I humbly nodded my head. God placed some of His very own in my path and He wanted to know if my schedule was flexible enough to help Him. The Creator of everything invited me to join Him at work.

Now, I know we can’t always drop everything. There are deadlines to meet. Household chores that need doing. Jobs that require many of us to show up every day. 

Still, I am convinced our Lord seeks out those who long to see His purpose carried out in their lives and in the world around them. That’s my prayer.  

Lord, give me a tender heart for those around me who need a helping hand. If it’s a word of encouragement, a smile, some of my time, even an evening in my backyard. Teach me to live an interrupted life. Amen.