A reminder that sometimes interruptions are actually the very thing we need in the moment.

I was able to see the northern lights from Camp Cowen tonight. Not because I remembered to go look for them. But only because of an “interruption.”

At campfire, when the pastor was giving the evening message, my youngest tapped my arm and whispered, “Mom, I have to go to the bathroom.” I answered, “Do you think you can wait until the message is done? It should be done soon.” She whispered back, “Do you think it will be long? I’ll try to wait.”

Just a few seconds later she whispered, “I can’t wait.”

We walked out of campfire and she took my hand. Another parent and child followed us out for a bathroom trip too.

Then I saw the sky. A rosy pink at first and I knew because the Cowen sky doesn’t normally look like this. And when the lighter streaks appeared I remembered: the Northern Lights might be visible tonight!

You know I watch the weather and I’m a fan of nature. And you probably also know that I can be very busy during camp time. Tonight, in the busyness, I had forgotten about the chance to see the northern lights.

And I got to see them only because of an “I can’t wait.”

By the time we walked back to campfire, the brightness had mostly faded. I will remember seeing the lights, and I won’t forget the grace of an “interrupted” moment giving me the blessing to see them!