See, this alone I found: God made human beings straightforward, but they search for many complications.
Reflection
Are you familiar with the word nebby? It is “Pittsburghese” meaning “nosy,” “prying” or “overly inquisitive.” If you are nebby, you can also be called a “neb nose.” That’s your lesson in Yinzer for today!
My children have often accused me of being nebby. I always ask for more details. Let’s say a friend of theirs is going to the beach. I ask, “what beach?” and they say, “I don’t know, the beach.” The beach is enough information for them, but I want details. I have learned to limit my line of questioning with my children so that I get the answers I am seeking before they get angry and tell me to stop asking questions.
In my work – going to people’s homes and working with families, I tend to ask questions so that I can better understand the families’ priorities, how they process information, and ways to motivate them to help their child meet the goals they set. I tell myself that these are my goals for asking questions, but I know sometimes I am just being nebby because I am curious about how people live and what their experiences are.
People are often very willing to open up and talk. I recently worked with a family that grows produce. The Mom said they got a box of bees from UPS to help with pollinating the tomatoes. I had lots of questions, so she took me out to the greenhouse to talk to the dad who told me all about it. It was super interesting, and I think the family really enjoyed talking about their work.
Other times when I ask about things that may be important for an upcoming court hearing, maybe a parent is not as forthcoming, and they don’t feel it is my right to ask. Is it? If I am helping the child, it is, but if I am just wanting information for my own knowledge or because I feel a certain way about the parent, then of course it isn’t.
The title of the paragraph for our scripture is “Life is Complicated.” It certainly is! Do we make it more complicated? We certainly can. Does my being nebby help people or does it just appease my curiosity? I do think overall it does both. But do I sometimes need to reign it in?
I think so, and I ask God to give me guidance with that and seek the information that will best help me work with the families I serve, my own family, and those in the community that I may seek to help.
by Janet Waryck
For Pondering and Prayer
What questions do you tend to ask? Our scripture says we tend to make things complicated. What do you think about that? How can we trust in God to help guide us when we have questions? How can our questions help others and how can they hurt our relationships with others?
Prayer: God of answers, help us to trust in your divine knowing. Help us to question our motives when we question others and help us not to be judgmental. Only you truly know what is in people’s hearts and minds. Help us to guard the information we receive and to use it for good. In Jesus’ name, amen.
