“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business”
When I read the above quote and saw the picture, I laughed out loud! It is so appropriate, isn’t it! Our children are naturally curious and will ask a lot of questions. As parents, we should encourage their curiosity and help them search for answers, but not allow being nosy to be a part of their behavior. Reading is the best way to find answers to questions.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “nosy” in the common English for students as “wanting to know about someone else’s business.” This has a negative connotation. It does not mean that you are sincerely curious so that you can assist and provide consolation and prayer for the other person. Instead, you are trying to find out about the other person so that you can make derogatory comments, often behind that person’s back. The Bible encourages us to spend our time diligently working, not having idle time to be a busybody.
“We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down...”
Most of our children’s behavior is modeled after us, as parents. Take a moment and analyze your own behavior. Do you have your nose in someone else’s affairs? Do you talk openly and in front of your children about what other people are doing in a condemning way? It may seem harmless but it isn’t at all. Philippians 4:8 tells us to think about those things that are honorable, pure and worthy of praise. Being a busybody is not among those mentioned.