Do you ever get so caught up in what you are doing that when somebody walks in the room you blow them off to keep steady at your task? Or maybe the phone rings and you just let voicemail pick it up?
I confess, I have gotten in to the habit of letting voicemail pick up those calls that don’t register on my caller ID. My number is out on quite a few ministry materials so calls from those I don’t know come almost daily. So, after months of being interrupted by those I didn’t know, I slipped into the habit of just letting modern-day technology meet the callers initial need.
As I’ve been trying to keep my eyes open for the One who might need help, you would think I would be sensitive in this area. You would think I would have viewed those phone calls as such an opportunity. But, NO! The phone rang AGAIN. I was busy and didn’t recognize the caller ID. I thought, they can leave a message and I’ll call back. That thought had no more than formulated in my thought processes when the word “STOP” flooded into my mind. I thought, seriously! And there it was again, “STOP.”
I reached down, picked up the phone and heard a man’s voice on the other end. He was homeless and had had his sleeping bag stolen. We had a great conversation as we worked out his situation. In the end, he ended up encouraging me by the time we hung up.
Trying to be more mindful of this word STOP and how that included me stopping to answer the phone, even when I don’t know who is on the other end of the line, the phone rings again. This time it’s a woman whose son has just been sentenced to 10 years in prison. She was struggling and needing someone to talk to and pray with. Once again, I was blessed by the conversation and learned more about the heart of this woman.
I don’t know if you struggle with this, but man, why is it so hard for me to just STOP? Why am I so set on my days to-do list and the work that needs to get done that I can’t be bothered to answer a phone call from someone I don’t know? Who knew stopping could be so hard?
Stopping to answer the phone and giving up my time was nothing. So why the hesitation? Why couldn’t I see my phone as a tool God uses to connect me with people. I was so thankful to see God’s truth ring forth though as He blessed me tremendously through that simple act of obedience.
Are phone calls from unknown caller ID’s hard for you to stop and answer?
Do you see phone calls as interruptions to your day?
You are so right. We are so "busy" that we miss so many opportunities to really touch someone. Its wonderful that you were able to assist that man. Stopped by from SITS.
Isn't it funny how people we stop to help often end up helping us instead! :) Thanks for stopping by on my SITS day! :)
There are such blessings in stopping, but man I'm realizing just how hard that is. Thanks for the encouragement fellow SITS girls!
Oh I really do not like answering my phone when I don't know who it is that's calling. Lord give me strength.. :(
A few weeks my phone rang and I didn't recognize the number and let it go. I don't have voice mail the call is just dropped. A minute later it rang again and I took a deep breath and answered it; it was my husband calling.. from jail. He'd been pulled over for failure to stop at a stop sign and they'd found a warrant for his arrest when they ran his license! Oh, my goodness! That has never happened to me before. This lead to several frantic calls for help to people I don't know and never call and you guessed it – a LOT of them didn't answer!
Thank you for putting this in context for me! I will be answering that phone now no matter whose number pops up!
Amy
Alene, I love this post because I I am one of those that lets the voice mail pick up if I don't recognize the name. And I especially consider it an interruption if I am in the middle of something. But you have made me think about this… Wise words to remember. Thank you so much, and thanks for linking with Transformation Tuesday.
Maria
Maria, I know! I think modern technology is great, but I also think I've let it shelter me. We can stay behind our computers and voicemails to communicate with others and rarely need for real human interaction where God can let His light shine through. Blessings friend.
Wow! That is very convicting. I too am one who doesn't like to answer my phone. I now have a reason to try to change that habit. I don't want to miss any blessing God has for me….ever.
Thanks
Such an important reminder to be open to others – something I need to be more cognizant of!
Honestly, I am one that lets lots of calls go to voice mail. Although it's usually for a good reason, there may be an immediate need that requires my assistance or intervention.
What a challenge for me today!
Thank you for linking up with my One Word Wednesday.
Have a blessed evening…
That was a great message in hearing the Lord and being able to do his will in helping others. I was so blessed :)