Interrupted or Divine Intervention?

This week my women's bible study at church started up again. I was excited to get back in the routine of studying God's word and even more excited about the study my group is doing. It is called "Jonah- Navigating a Life Interrupted" by Priscilla Shirer. I experienced Priscilla Shirer in the last study we did that was a DVD study taught by Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer. It was then I fell in love with her witty and honest way of leading. I love studies where you can laugh, especially when it's at yourself and how true the life example that the leader just shared is in your own life.

So I don't know about you, but when I think of the story of Jonah in the Bible, this is what I picture.

I picture the bizarre Bible story I heard when I was little with a man being swallowed by a big fish and then being spit out at some beach he didn't want to go to. I am excited to see how my image of Jonah and his story changes over the next 7 weeks as I study it as an adult.
Being the kind of person I am that likes to feel like I have a plan and that I am somewhat in control, interruptions are not often something that I look upon kindly. This study begins with challenging us to change the way we view interruptions. Priscilla says:
"Often we equate the term interruption with upheaval, derailing, and frustration. Who wouldn't try to avoid those? Yet a closer look reveals an issue of value. When we deem our current task as an essential priority, we'll look with contempt on anything that threatens our time focused on it. Why? We've given priority and credited value to the current task, person, or goal."
But when we realize who God is and that He is the one that may be giving us a new assignment, our view should change. Priscilla explains:
"If He is our priority and His will is our primary purpose, then when the 'word of the Lord' comes to us or when He allows us to see His hand in our circumstances, we must see it as an esteemed opportunity to participate in kingdom purposes. What more critical or essential ambition could there be?
So, we redifine interruption in our lives because God's plan is a "Divine Intervention". I am already convicted and inspired by two days of this study. I cannot wait to see how God will challenge and change me through the study of His word. I hope you're life is interrupted today and that you are able to see His plan for your life's purpose!

We're Back!

So, I realize it has been entirely too long since I updated this here blog. I really don't have a great excuse, so I will just apologize to those that have been asking about my disappearance over the last few months. There is a lot to get caught up on, so here are the highlights...

Joey turned 25 in October! Half-way to 50 I enjoyed reminding him. :) I snuck around planning a surprise birthday party for him that was supposed to be an afternoon of Ultimate Games at a park here, but the weather was horrible! We did pull off a great surprise though. Momma Hance came in town for a visit and Joey had no idea what awaited him when we pulled up to the park to "take Harley on a walk before it rained". As we pulled up, he noticed the party set up (thanks to my wonderful parents) at the pavillion and said, "Hey look, someone else is having a 25th birthday." He then freaked out when I pulled onto the grass driving towards this stranger's party. The look on his face when he figured it out was great. He is a tough one to get things past, so it was fun. We moved the party to our house not long after we arrived and still had a great time with friends and family that came in town to celebrate with us!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and a lot to be thankful for.

And December flew by with a really busy time at work putting on a new event followed by a sweet time of rest with the hubs and puppy.

January is racing along with work for me and school for Joey back in the full swing of things. I have to say that I would not have given up the break we had at the end of December for anything, but it sure made it hard to get motivated again. We are getting back in the groove of a routine though and that is nice. More to come soon on life at the Hance household! Stay tuned...