Stay on your side of the street

I shared a room with my younger sister for most of my childhood. When older siblings moved out, rooms became available. My younger sister and I were very different. I preferred having things put away, and it didn't matter to her if things were on the floor. We shared a bed. I made my side of the bed, and hers was not. Here is how that has played out in my life. I provide unwanted, unsolicited advice. I was made aware of this tendency, and the phrase, "I need to stay on my side of the street," became a great reminder.

The Lord makes me aware of my thoughts. When my thoughts become obsessive about people and their problems, this is the cue: "I need to stay on my side of the street" and start praying. God is God, and I am not. When my thoughts feel like they are out of control, I need to realize that that is my cue. He is in charge, I am not. He needs to take control of my spiraling, need to fix, out-of-control feeling I get, and lead me to higher ground with Him. I need to run to Him and ask Him to take control and rescue me from the hornet's nest I traveled into. When I am with people and this feeling comes over me, I need to get curious and ask God what is going on. I can pray and ask God for wisdom. I can pray for the person in that moment. God tells me to keep in step with His Spirit. I can listen, pray, and allow others the space to hear from God. I'm not their Holy Spirit because there is only ONE of those- thankfully!