How Do you Respond to Interruptions?

Yesterday was an interesting day for us at church.

As many of you know, Cambodia does not traditionally celebrate Valentines Day. It only became common when foreigners came and when the internet became widely used. In our culture here, it was never part of Khmer tradition. It was something influenced by outsiders. I have a previous post about this here 👉 Hearts Day in Cambodia

So I was surprised when some of my Khmer colleagues told me that Christians were the ones who brought Valentines to Cambodia. I gently explained that not all foreigners who come to Cambodia are followers of Christ. And the love that Christians speak about is not romantic love centered on couples. The love we preach is the love of Christ for everyone. It is pure. It is sacrificial. It is unconditional.

Because of that, our family does not really celebrate Valentines Day.

Years ago, Cambodia even discouraged young people from celebrating it because it became associated with immorality. Some young women felt pressure to prove their love in ways that went against purity. As believers, we teach the opposite. We teach that love waits. Love honors. Love protects.

When Vandy and I were still dating, we were very careful. We were serving young people in church. We wanted to set an example. We guarded our time together. We guarded our actions. There were a few times we organized what we called Love Fellowship, not Valentines celebration. We used those moments to share about the true love of Christ. We talked about purity and about love that gives, not love that takes.

The Way to Life Church 2008 (Kratie, Cambodia) 

Even in our marriage, Vandy only bought me flowers or cheesecake a few times. And honestly, not on February 14. Prices are higher that day. We laughed about it. Love in our home is not measured by one date on the calendar. It is seen in daily faithfulness. In shared ministry. In simple meals. In prayers before bedtime. 

I will always have my best vgift during Durian seasons in Kampot province. Vandy let me pick fresh durian fruit every month of June! 👌👍💝

But yesterday at PPC, we were surprised.

When we arrived at the worship venue, the stage was decorated with big letters that said Happy Valentines Day. It felt ironic because Vandy is currently preaching a series on marital preparation and expectations. He has been teaching about God preparing our lives for His purpose. He has been helping the young people think seriously about career, finances, and marriage.

The decorations were not from the church. We rent our worship space from Learning Lab School. The place is not ours. We cannot control how it is decorated. It was simply an interruption.

Vandy calmly requested that no photos of the decorations be posted on social media. He did not make a scene. He did not complain. He simply focused on what mattered most. The message.

It made me think deeply.

How do we respond to interruptions?

Life is full of them.

For singles who are praying for a future partner, the interruption may look like another year of waiting.

For young couples, the interruption may be financial struggle, misunderstanding, or unmet expectations.

For married couples serving in ministry, the interruption may be something beyond your control, like a decorated stage that does not match your heart.

For those outside the faith, interruptions may look like unanswered dreams or plans that suddenly change.

Proverbs 21:5 says, The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

There is wisdom in planning. There is blessing in preparing. But there is also a warning against rushing and reacting.

Planning is different from worrying.

This month, Pastor Greg and Vandy started a series about preparation. Career. Finances. Marriage. They both shared a simple truth. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

But preparation must be surrendered to God.

We can make careful plans, but we cannot control every decoration on the stage of our life.

That is where faith comes in.

Philippians 4:12 says, I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Paul wrote this from prison. He was not speaking about winning. He was not speaking about achieving personal dreams. He was speaking about contentment in every season.

He learned to live with little and with much. He learned to serve God when doors were open and when doors were closed.

This is the strength we need.

Not strength to control everything.

But strength to stay faithful in every season.

Let me share four reflections that have been resting in my heart.

1. Plan with Diligence but Surrender the Outcome

Proverbs 21:5 reminds us that careful planning leads to good fruit. For singles, this may mean preparing your character while you wait. Grow in your relationship with Christ. Build your skills. Serve faithfully. Do not waste the waiting season.

For young couples, plan your finances wisely. Talk about your goals. Prepare your home to be a place of peace.

For married couples in ministry, plan your teachings. Guide your children. Prepare your hearts.

But after planning, surrender the outcome to God.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to plan with wisdom and patience. Help me not to rush ahead of You. I surrender my dreams and timelines into Your hands. Lead me according to Your will.

2. Do Not Confuse Planning with Worrying

There is a big difference between careful preparation and anxious fear.

Planning is calm. It seeks wisdom.

Worrying is restless. It seeks control.

When the stage was decorated in a way we did not expect, we had a choice. We could react in frustration. Or we could stay steady.

In marriage, you will face moments that do not go as planned. In singleness, you will face seasons that feel longer than expected. In community life, people will misunderstand you.

Worry will drain you. Faith will steady you.

Prayer:

Father, when interruptions come, guard my heart from fear. Help me respond with grace. Teach me to trust You when things are not in my control.

3. Learn Contentment in Every Season

Philippians 4:12 shows us Paul’s heart. He learned contentment.

Contentment is not passive. It is not laziness. It is trust.

If you are single, do not believe that marriage is the only season where joy begins. God is with you now.

If you are newly married and facing challenges, do not believe that you married the wrong person just because it is hard. Growth takes time. 

Increase Appreciation, Lowering Expectations

If you are in ministry and feel unnoticed, remember that God sees you.

Strength does not mean the absence of problems. It means God gives you enough grace to endure and obey.

Prayer:

Jesus, teach me contentment. In abundance and in lack, help me to stay close to You. Let my joy be rooted in You, not in my circumstances.

4. Strength Is for God’s Purpose, Not Personal Pride

Philippians 4:13 is often quoted. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. But Paul was speaking about enduring hardship for the sake of the gospel.

God gives strength so we can fulfill His mission. Not so we can prove something to others.

For singles, the strength God gives you now prepares you to love well in the future.

For couples, the strength He gives you helps you forgive, communicate, and serve each other.

For our young people in the dorm, the strength God gives them today will help them face career decisions, financial pressures, and future marriage.

Our prayer for them is simple. That they will surrender their plans to the Lord. That they will let Him guide their steps. That when interruptions come, they will not collapse but stand firm in grace.

Prayer:

Lord, give me strength for Your purpose. Use my life for Your glory. Whether I have much or little, whether my plans succeed or change, help me remain faithful.

Strength in Every Season

Philippians 4:12 reminds us that Paul learned to live content in every situation. He knew what it meant to have little and to have plenty. He knew hunger and he knew abundance. Even in prison, he never lacked the strength to share about Jesus.

This is the true meaning of strength in Christ.

It is not about achieving whatever we desire. It is about receiving what we need to endure every season and complete what God has called us to do.

If you are in a season of waiting, God will give you strength.

If you are in a season of testing, God will give you strength.

If you are in a season of blessing, God will give you wisdom to steward it well.

We will all face interruptions. Decorations we did not choose. Timelines we did not expect. Seasons we did not plan.

But God is steady.

He prepares us. He strengthens us. He walks with us.

So let us plan diligently. Let us surrender fully. Let us live contentedly. Let us depend on His strength daily.

And when interruptions come, may our response reflect the love of Christ.

Not romantic love that fades.

But a love that is pure. Patient. Faithful.

The kind of love that points others to Jesus.

Blessed celebrations of L-O-V-E!
The Hourngs in Cambodia 💕🙏😍