MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

It is tempting to want to help people, especially family members,  who we feel compelled to give our 'two cents' to. The thing is if the family member is on his or her own they may not always want the advice we have to give. We have to learn to keep our nose in our own business. When we start giving advice we start causing tension and division and trouble 'is a brewing'. In this new Facebook generation it a challenge to keep that nose of ours in our own business with both friends and family and oft times mere acquaintances. We will know what we need to know and don't have to know it all.

Why do we feel we have to give our opinion and know it all anyway? Especially when it involves a family member talking to their adult children? If you are a parent of a small child start now knowing that someday you will have to cut the apron strings. Start now with the release process and later not be so ready to always try to tell your adult children what to do. As a matter of fact they may resent it and it can cause a huge rift in your relationship. Especially when the adult child is engaged or married then you really need to be respectful and 'butt out' and let your children decide things on their own without orchestrating their lives for them. They still love you but they lead their own life now. When we try to tell adult children our opinion on what they should do when not asked we will not be received in a very good way and you can cause hurt, pain, stress and possibly an irreparable breach. When you force an adult child to accept your opinion over that of a fiancee or spouse that is not a good thing either. So this all can cause much strife if not handled properly.

First, moms and dads let your adult children be adults. Do not give advice unless asked. It is a learning process but if you expect to have a good relationship with your adult children and their family you should not try to micro manage their life for them. They are highly capable of adult decisions on their own. Back off. You raised them now let their roots grow deep and let them sprout those wings. Mistakes  will be made but that is part of the growing process. It is not about you but about them. Love your adult children unconditionally and continue to pray for them. As we say in Moms in Touch prayer ministry, never doubt the power of a praying mom.
"The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles [from a crack in a dam]; therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarreling breaks out."(Proverbs 17:14).

It is not necessary to pry into every one's life. Pray for your children when small or grown and know God loves them even more than you do. When they marry they are to 'leave and cleave' according to Genesis 2:24.

Our children are gifts from God and really only on loan to us to raise anyway. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 says "I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD. And he worshiped the LORD there." 

1 Thessalonians 4:11 says "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you." See it is right there in God's word.  So whether you have grown children or you are a single person it is still not good to pry into lives where we are not welcome. It is my hope this devotion would reach both married and single with the important message of not being a meddler.


PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the means we have to stay in touch with friends and family. Give me the ability to not be nosey and to love my friends and family unconditionally. Help me to control my mouth and not always be trying to find out details. Help me share my knowledge or advice when asked and have self control otherwise. It is difficult and I need your help to control my tongue. I want what I say to bring glory to you.  In Jesus name, amen!