This past Sunday morning we were cruising down a back road toward church and I was babbling on about someone who just needed to make some adjustments to the way they’re doing things. After all, I probably know more about the issues they’re facing than they do, don’t I?

And suddenly, a tiny voice inside my head said, “Mind your own business, Marcy.” Really, Lord? I’m older, I have much more experience and, obviously, I know more about how they should live their lives than they do.

And, like a flash of lightening, I recalled that just a couple of weeks ago, pastor Dennis used that less than pleasant phrase, mind your own business, in his sermon. What’s more, he claimed it was in the Bible. It got a pretty good chuckle out of the congregation, myself included, and then it escaped my mind as quickly as it had entered. That is, until the next morning.

You may recall my writing about a sudden Sunday morning power outage which caused some detours in my usual routine. I always read my devotionals on my iPad, and that works fine, even when our electrical sources fail, because they’re downloaded, no internet required. My verse of the day, however, is delivered by e-mail and it hadn’t reached my iPad. I gave it no more thought and continued stumbling along without power, forgetting completely that my phone had a signal.

The next morning, when my e-mail came up, the previous day’s verse popped up also and what do you suppose it said?

“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business…” I Thessalonians 4:11a.

Apparently, I needed a reminder. In recent days…OK it was weeks, I’d been covertly critical of family members and neighbors about some of their habits. At least, I had the good sense not to let my thoughts take voice, except for a few minor infractions, but who am I kidding. Our God knows every thought, no matter how fleeting, that crosses our minds. And those thoughts hurt Him just as badly as our spoken words and misplaced actions.

I encountered Pastor Dennis in the Commons area on Sunday morning and shared the whole story with him and we exclaimed, once again, how our topics are so often the same, though this time I was a little slow on the upload. We had a good laugh at our own expense, and I moved on into the sanctuary for the last service.

But the thought kept nagging at me…I had been mentally hard on those around me in recent weeks. When Pastor Sarah prayed before serving Communion, she touched my heart, and I knew it was time for me to bring this bad habit of mine before the Lord. I needed to lay this burden on His altar and leave it there, but then, there’s my other bad habit. That one would be picking up those worries I leave behind and stewing over them some more. I know better, but I can’t seem to do better. I’m trying, Lord, I really am!

So, when you finish reading, I’d like to ask a favor of you. Would you please pray for me. I need all the help I can muster to curb these nasty habits and leave them where they belong….in the very capable hands of my Lord.

Thank you, Lord, that while I grow and make mistakes, you will always remind me that, of course, you still love me. Nicole Garcia, Walking in Grace 2024