Last night, when I tucked in my almost nine-year-old, I saw tears in her eyes. Naturally, I asked her what was on her mind, and her answer really surprised me.
“I feel like we haven’t had much one-on-one time lately,” she said. “I’d really like to have a mother-daughter date with you soon.” This surprised me because we just had a mother-daughter date two weeks ago, when we leisurely sipped tea and chatted about life. We also homeschool, so she pretty much sees me more than anyone else.
But this didn’t change the fact that she still wanted some quality, one-on-one time with me, so I didn’t argue. Even if we’ve had plenty of time together lately, it didn’t mean she doesn’t still feel how she feels. So I just listened. And I mentally put on the calendar a short little afternoon date for later today.
Our conversation reminded me of what I was told several years ago, when our family was only toddler and baby: that their little requests throughout my day aren’t interruptions; they are my day. It’s a season with little ones, for sure, but when you hope to get a few things done but instead find yourself dealing with messes, hurts, tea parties, and snacks all day, it’s discouraging.
But the fact that this little maxim still applies to my day reminded me that it still applies in all sorts of areas, not just parenting. When stuff flies in my day, interrupted, that might mean I need to change course with my agenda. Perhaps that interruption was meant to be my day.
So as you start this week, be available to interruptions. Sure, they may not be important. But they just might be. They might actually turn out to be the most important part of your day.
