Lessons From The Family DogLast week I wrote a devotion called DOGGIE ON A BONE TENACITY.  The day after I wrote it I read today’s verse and then began thinking about another verse in the Bible that reference dogs.  So, in honor of my dog-loving kids I’ve decided to run a short 3 Part Series called: LESSONS FROM THE FAMILY DOG.  Here is Lesson #2, Don’t Be Found Yanking a Dog’s Ears.   If you’d like to read them all, here is Lesson #1 Live with Doggie On The Bone Tenacity and Lesson #3 Don’t Eat What The Dog’s Eating

 Don’t Be Found Yanking a Dog’s Ears 


“Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.”
                                                                                        Proverbs 26:17  NLT

Don't Be Found Yanking On A Dog's Ear

Years ago I became friends with a girl who was about 10 years older than me.  Through our relationship I also became friends with her adult daughter.  Because of their past history they often had relational issues and my friend regularly asked for my advice.

One time the daughter came to me with a situation between the two of them and because of the commonality of them getting me involved, I sent my friend a note with my ideas on how to help resolve this current conflict.

I expected her to respond in gratitude for my love, care and insight into their problem.  The response was as gentle as what would happen when yanking a dog’s ears!

I learned a valuable lesson through this experience, but sadly it cost me a friendship; actually, two of them.  I hope that sharing my story when I interfered in someone else’s argument will spare you the same consequences.  When we’re in relationship with people it’s so hard not to be involved with what’s going on in their lives.

The closer our relationship to a person the easier it is to have the boundary lines blurred as to what is our business and what isn’t.

We need to exercise wisdom and discernment to know the difference and stay constantly alert to the borderline.  Wisdom is holding back when giving advice until it’s requested.

This is something I struggle with.  The teacher in me wants to help guide people, but some haven’t signed up for my course; if you get what I mean.

So, learn from my mistake…Unless you feel a clear direction from the Lord, Don’t be foolish and rush into someone else’s argument, unless they’ve invited you in, and sometimes not even then.  You might just save yourself from getting bit!

Prayer

Father…In so much of life I need your discernment to make the right decisions; especially when it comes to human relationships.  There often aren’t clear boundaries and I can unknowingly cross the line.  Please help me to question more and jump in less.  Let me walk in divine guidance in the words that I speak, the emotions I express and the relationships I involve myself with.  In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]Interfering in someone else’s argument is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears Pr 26:17[/tweetthis]

If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

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blogger prayerYOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell

Sherry Stahl