I have been ambushed this week.   There was no time to circle the wagons.   Here is the background of the ambush.

Months ago I scheduled to take off work on Friday in order to go camping.   I chose to camp on this week and on this Friday because my calendar was pretty clean.   I still have my regular work.   So, I have regular work plus taking Friday off.   “I can work some on Saturday to finish up the week and everything will be fine,” was my reasoning.   Sounds like a plan.   Now here is the ambush.

I had a huge amount of work to do on some home projects that I did not see coming.   I had a once a month meeting fall on this week and I had not anticipated that.   I had an eight hour meeting come up that I did not see coming.   I had a one hour dentist appointment turn into a two and three quarter hour appointment.   I had several logistical details for my sabbatical that needed to be finalized this week.

By Wednesday at noon I was struggling.   I owed this article and my sermon outline and Walking Papers and Companionship Papers to my assistant.   I need to review my lesson for small group tonight.   My sermon is not in good shape.   I must do some prep for my long meeting tomorrow.    I owe an email response to a person that is getting urgent.

I was going about my merry way and not harming anyone and:   “Bang, ambushed!”

As the ambush happened and intensified the emotions inside me “happened and intensified.”   (Don’t get me wrong these emotions are my personal choice.   I was ambushed by the circumstances but I chose the emotions.)    I was angry, frustrated, and annoyed.   At times I neared panic and then drifted into self pity and then veered back to anger.   

So, here are some lessons from the ambush.   I am writing these for my own benefit and I am happy if you want to read them and hopefully benefit as well.

Ambush lesson number one:   I do not choose to be ambushed but I do choose how to respond.

Ambush lesson number two:   From eternity past God knew this was coming and allowed it to come.

Ambush lesson number three:   The more negative emotions I choose the more I exacerbate the consequences of the ambush.

Ambush lesson number four:   Take a deep breath and calm down.

Ambush lesson number five:   Do the next thing.   Prioritize and do the next thing.   (The universe goes on even when I am too sick to get out of bed—it is doubtful that it will fall apart today.)

Ambush lesson number six :   On the weeks when you get ambushed one of the things you can do is make your article for the e-link shorter.