When I booked my three-day solo staycation, I was craving silence. I needed space to clear my mind and let God speak. But as soon as I got to my hotel room, silence seemed out of reach. The kids next door were LOUD. Laughing, crying, running. My first thought was Really? I considered asking for a new room. But then I thought about the inconvenience of moving—especially since I also had my dogs—and decided to stay. I decided that another family’s existence shouldn't be treated as a burden.

The next morning, the normal family noises shifted. Through the thin walls, I overheard a heated argument. A mother, with a voice trembling under the weight of years of frustration, was standing up to her mother-in-law. I didn’t need more context to know she was hurting. I heard it in her voice, the pain, the exhaustion, and the courage it took to speak up. But her mother-in-law’s responses were sharp, dismissive, and relentless, shifting the blame with every word. The argument grew more heated until I heard the young mother leave the room with her children, likely needing air and space to breathe.

I sat there, heart heavy, praying for this family while listening to the husband speak to his mother before he went out to his wife. Culturally, in the Caribbean, we’re often taught to mind our business, and we’re encouraged to stay out of things that don’t directly concern us. Yet, this same cultural 'restraint' is where gossip often takes flight.

But in Christ things are different. We’re called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to let the Holy Spirit guide us, even if it feels out of bounds. God was nudging me to act. I just could not shake it.

I messaged my friend Olivia. I told her what I had overheard and the weight I felt on my heart. I said I felt the need to speak to the mom, I just didn't know how. Her advice was simple:

“Pray and then just say, ‘Hey, I didn’t mean to overhear you, but I wanted to say I’m sorry for what you went through. I’m proud of you for using your voice."

It gave me the boost I needed. I thanked her for her encouragement, and I thank God for her beautiful soul!

I saw the mom by the beach. While walking up to her I started to pray for the right words and courage. She was sitting alone. I walked towards her and my voice trembled, “I’m so sorry for what you've been through. I didn’t mean to overhear, but I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you for speaking up.”

As I spoke tears welled up. She started crying too and thanked me for saying that. She began to share more with me. Her husband had recently lost his father, the man who had always kept his mother in check if she over-stepped her boundaries. The dynamics have shifted without him, and her mother-in-law’s criticisms had grown sharper and more frequent. She comes from a family that isn't as involved in each other's family life, a complete cultural shock from the Jamaican family she married into. She admitted how hard it was to feel supported as a wife and mother when she was constantly under scrutiny. She had lost their babies in the past through miscarriage, she was sitting out there on the beach with a broken foot, it's just clearly so much to bear and she was so so tired. I could tell she was not heard emotionally, even if her mother in law provided physical support with the kids.

I told her: “After you left the room, your husband stood up for you, too. He challenged his mom. I know it might not always feel like it, but he’s trying.”

Her tears fell harder. She said she needed that reassurance. She often feels like he doesn't stand up for her. I said I can imagine in the heat of it all it wouldn't feel that way, but he's learning. We talked about grace for her husband as he also finds his voice in this new dynamic as the adult male in his mother's life. Grace for herself as she navigates motherhood and family tension. And yes, even grace for her mother-in-law, whose grief is likely still fresh. I assured her that everything will be just fine. I told her during my stay I've seen her beautiful kids enjoying the beach, reading, laughing, and that she's a wonderful mother. And again, everything will be okay.

By the end of our conversation, we hugged and wished each other well. I apologized once again for overhearing, but she said no need, and thanked me for coming to her.

It would have been easier to stay in my lane, to avoid what seemed like someone else’s problem. But like the Samaritan who stepped into someone else’s pain, we’re called to show compassion for those hurting.

We’re also called to encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). This isn’t limited to people in our inner circle or situations where it feels comfortable. Sometimes God places us in the right place at the right time to be His hands, His voice, and His heart for someone in need.

^{God doesn’t always meet us in the stillness. Sometimes, He speaks through the cries next door, the conversations we didn’t mean to overhear, and the nudge to simply say, “I see you, and I’m proud of you.”}

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Prayer for the Family Next Door

^{Heavenly Father,}

^{Thank You for the divine way You place us in the right moments and the right spaces to reflect Your love. Tonight, I lift up the family I encountered. You know their struggles, their pain, and the weight they are carrying. Lord, I ask for Your healing and peace to flow through their lives.}

^{For the mother, I pray for strength. Give her wisdom and grace as she navigates the challenges of raising her children and handling criticism. Remind her that she is seen, loved, and supported by You, even when she feels isolated. Let her feel affirmed in her role as a mother and wife, knowing she is doing a beautiful job in Your eyes.}

^{For the father, I ask that You give him courage to stand up in love and unity. Help him find his voice and lead with kindness and strength as he grows into his role as a peacemaker in their family. Let him know that his efforts are not in vain and that his love for his wife and children will bring healing.}

^{For the children, I ask that You surround them with joy and protection. Keep their laughter abundant, even in times of tension, and let them feel secure in the love of their parents.}

^{And for the mother-in-law, I ask for healing and softened hearts. Lord, You know her pain, her grief, and the reasons behind her criticisms. Speak to her spirit and guide her to a place of compassion and understanding. Help her see the beauty in her family and bring peace into their interactions.}

^{Father, I ask for Your presence to dwell in their home and relationships. Bring restoration where there is brokenness and unity where there is division. Let them feel the fullness of Your love and grace in their lives, and guide them to navigate this season with patience and hope.}

^{Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to speak love. Use my words and prayers as seeds of encouragement that You will water in Your perfect timing.}

^{In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.}‍

_{Self-Reflection Prompts}‍

1. Are there areas in your life where you’ve been tempted to “mind your business” when God might be calling you to step in with love and encouragement?
2. Is there someone in your life right now who needs you to “bear their burden” and remind them that they are not alone?

_{Kindness is not passive; it is transformative. It is a reflection of God’s love that moves beyond words into action. Let’s be brave enough to choose kindness and let the Holy Spirit guide us as we spread hope, one small step at a time.}