Not an Interruption
DAY 4 | Not an Interruption
READ
Mark 10:13–16; Philippians 2:3–5, 8
“Let the little children come to Me. Don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Mark 10:14
THE TRUTH
People were bringing children to Jesus.
They wanted Him to touch them.
Bless them.
Pray over them.
But the disciples tried to stop it.
Maybe they thought Jesus had more important things to do.
More important people to see.
More important conversations to have.
Whatever their reasoning, the disciples looked at these children and essentially saw an interruption.
Jesus saw something completely different.
Scripture says Jesus was indignant.
Then He said: “Let the little children come to Me.”
He took them into His arms. He placed His hands on them. And He blessed them.
What the disciples viewed as an interruption, Jesus viewed as a blessing.
That's a needed reminder for parents.
Because children interrupt things.
They interrupt sleep.
Conversations.
Meals.
Schedules.
Plans.
Dates.
Vacations.
Hobbies.
Work.
Intimacy.
Quiet.
They need things when we're tired.
They ask questions when we're busy.
They want our attention when our attention is somewhere else.
Those needs aren't inherently bad.
They're children.
They need us.
But if we're not careful, our hearts can slowly begin viewing their needs as an inconvenience rather than an opportunity to love.
And that's when selfishness begins revealing itself.
Philippians 2 tells us:
“In humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Then Paul tells us why: “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus.”
What was the attitude of Jesus?
Humility.
Obedience.
Selflessness.
Sacrifice.
Jesus didn't organize His life around protecting His own comfort.
He gave Himself for others.
Parenting requires that same kind of Christlike surrender.
Being a father requires selflessness.
Being a mother requires selflessness.
There will be sacrifice.
There will be surrender.
There will be moments when you put the legitimate needs of your children ahead of what you would personally prefer.
But that's not your children ruining your life.
That's an opportunity to become more like Jesus.
Marriage didn't automatically make you mature.
Having children won't automatically make you mature either.
But marriage and parenting will repeatedly expose the places where you still need Jesus to mature you.
The answer isn't simply trying harder to become a better parent.
It's recognizing the selfishness within us, repenting of it, surrendering ourselves to God, and allowing the Spirit to continually make us more like Christ.
REFLECT
- When someone needs you at an inconvenient time, what usually comes out of you: patience, compassion, irritation, selfishness, anger, or grace?
- Where has your desire for comfort, quiet, hobbies, work, achievement, intimacy, or personal time made it difficult to see the needs of others?
- What might God be trying to develop in you through the demands and interruptions you sometimes wish would disappear?
A HAPPILY MARRIED REMINDER
Today's devotional isn't permission to tell your spouse:
“You need to spend more time with the kids.”
Or:
“See, you're being selfish.”
Ask:
“Where am I failing to be present?”
“Where am I expecting my spouse to carry responsibilities I should be sharing?”
“Where does my family need more of me?”
Let Jesus confront your selfishness first.
TOGETHER OR INDIVIDUALLY
IF YOU'RE MARRIED
If you have children, consider the seven Christlike characteristics we've been using throughout this series:
Love
Care
Protection
Provision
Serving
Intimacy
Devotion
Now ask:
“Which of these do our children most consistently receive from me?”
Then:
“Which one do they need to experience more intentionally from me?”
Maybe you provide everything they physically need, but rarely slow down long enough to connect.
Maybe you're affectionate but inconsistent with discipline.
Maybe you're protective but struggle with patience.
Maybe you serve constantly but have become emotionally unavailable.
Don't try to become perfect today.
Become intentional.
Then ask your spouse:
“Is there one way I can better help you as we care for our family?”
Listen without becoming defensive.
IF YOU'RE SINGLE
Jesus' response to children matters whether you're a parent or not.
How do you respond to people who cannot offer you anything in return?
How do you respond to someone who interrupts your plans?
How do you treat children in your family, church, neighborhood, or community?
Christlike love isn't reserved for people who are convenient.
Ask:
“Who have I been treating like an interruption that Jesus may be asking me to see differently?”
FROM THE MARRIAGE CREED
“I will lead my spouse through humble service. My leadership will not be domineering or controlling but sacrificial and nurturing. Servant leadership will combat any pride, ego or selfish motives.”
The same posture belongs in parenting.
Humble service.
Children don't need a father whose entire home exists to accommodate him.
They don't need a mother who completely loses herself trying to satisfy every desire they have either.
They need parents increasingly shaped by Jesus.
Parents willing to serve without becoming servants to every demand.
Parents willing to sacrifice without abandoning their marriage.
Parents willing to discipline because they love.
Parents willing to say no when necessary.
Parents willing to put down the phone.
Turn off the television.
Leave work at work.
Get on the floor.
Listen to the story.
Answer the question.
Throw the ball.
Give the hug.
Pray at the bedside.
Show up.
Children need our presence, not merely our provision.
RESPOND
TODAY I WILL...
If you have children, identify one way you can intentionally communicate:
“You are not an interruption to me.”
Today I will:
Maybe it's giving them fifteen minutes of completely undistracted attention.
Maybe it's joining them in something they enjoy.
Maybe it's asking a question and actually listening.
Maybe it's apologizing for being absent or impatient.
Maybe it's praying with them.
Maybe it's simply putting your phone away.
If you don't have children, identify someone whose needs you've been tempted to treat as an inconvenience.
The person God is bringing to mind is:
One way I can intentionally serve them is:
Then practice the attitude of Jesus:
Humility.
Selflessness.
Sacrifice.
PRAY
Jesus, thank You that You never treated people as inconveniences.
When others tried to push the children away, You welcomed them.
You took them into Your arms.
You touched them.
You blessed them.
Give us Your attitude.
Forgive us for our selfishness.
Forgive us when our comfort becomes more important than the people You've entrusted to us.
Forgive us for being physically present but emotionally absent.
Forgive us when our phones, work, hobbies, schedules, desires, or exhaustion continually receive the attention our families desperately need.
For fathers, give them the humility and selflessness to be present, engaged, sacrificial leaders in their homes.
For mothers, give them strength, patience, wisdom, and grace as they continually pour themselves into their families.
Help husbands and wives serve one another so neither spouse feels they must carry the needs of the family alone.
For those who are single, give them the attitude of Christ toward the people around them. Help them see opportunities to love where they might otherwise see interruptions.
Teach all of us to consider others as more important than ourselves.
Make our attitude that of Christ Jesus.
And may the people around us experience His love through the way we love them.
Amen.
TOMORROW
Children need our love.
Our care.
Our protection.
Our provision.
Our service.
Our intimacy.
Our devotion.
But there is a danger.
We can become so devoted to our children that our devotion to God and our spouse begins disappearing.
Jesus said:
“Let the children come.”
But we must be careful not to let our children come between us and God or between us and our spouse.
Tomorrow we'll finish the week by examining whether the blessings God has given us are still in their proper place.
Day 5: God First. Spouse Second. Children After.