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

My first focused exposure to this admonishment came when Pastor Dennis used the verse in a sermon, then the verse popped up in one of my devotionals, and most recently, Ken found an online photo of a coin with the words “Mind your business” engraved in the center. It was dated 1776 and commemorated the Continental Congress. Apparently, we have a lengthy history of meddling. All these interruptions (from Jesus through other avenues) made me think about our use or overuse of acronyms

MYOB (Mind Your Own Business) has become the acronym of our daily lives, along with MMOB (Mind My Own Business). These two very wise acronyms reflect directly on the verse above. You’d be surprised how often we need to use them. If we all take a good look at how we think about others and criticize their behaviors, whether openly or behind their backs, it’s pretty shocking what meddlers we are.

But, on a somewhat lighter note, many years ago, when I used the acronym KFC, Ken looked at me like I was an alien. “What are you talking about?” he asked. “It’s the latest thing,” I answered, “using initials to identify a business.” Does anyone say Kentucky Fried Chicken anymore? Of course not…in our fast-paced world, we use every shortcut available to reach our end goal as quickly as possible.

Today, everything has an acronym…illnesses, organizations, businesses, even celebrities. If you don’t believe it, just try watching the news or a TV commercial without Google or Siri readily at hand. Acronyms are so frequently used and, unfortunately for me, we’re expected to know each and every one of them. I must admit, even though I got onboard early with acronyms, I’m now way behind the curve and am a frequent visitor to Google, while Siri is a necessary companion.

And, of course, texting acronyms are a language all their own. I can’t tell you how often I have to look up a previously unseen string of letters my grandchildren use in their messages to me. And, once again, it’s Google or Siri to the rescue!

I’m ashamed to admit that lately I haven’t employed that most valuable acronym, MMOB, as readily as I should. I’ve found myself wondering why the people I encounter do the things they do to their bodies, or why my neighbors may not have the same view of the perfect yard that I have, or why that child in Wal Mart is screaming at the top of its lung power and no one is stopping it.

Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own…first get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5 (Paraphrased)

And, wouldn’t you know, this Sunday morning during the prelude to communion, Pastor Dennis reminded me that I needed to give the people around me a break, bring my own shortcomings to the foot of the cross, and leave them there. Jesus didn’t die there just to save sins already committed, but every single sin that ever would be committed. That spirit didn’t die on the cross with Jesus. We know the rest of the story….it lives in each of us because we have a living Savior, and He will keep forgiving our shortcomings until the day He takes us home to be with Him. What a promise! And when I fall short again, I know He’ll send one of His unique interruptions to remind me whose I am and that I need to follow His lead.